Almost three quarters of British adults of non-Christian religions (72%) and of no religion (71%) agree that churches and chapels are an important part of the UK's heritage and history, according to a survey carried out by ComRes for the National Churches Trust.
The poll also suggests the British public see a clear need for the repair and restoration of historic church buildings.
Keeping churches in good repair is seen by the majority as of benefit to wider society, with three in five (59%) British adults disagreeing with the idea that 'repairing and restoring historic church buildings only benefits churchgoers'.
More than half (55%) of adults of no religion disagree with the statement that 'repairing and restoring historic church buildings only benefits church goers.'
The ComRes poll shows that more than two in five (45%) British adults have visited a church or chapel over the past year.
Religious services are the primary reason given by British adults for visiting a church or chapel in the last year (28%), followed by visits made as tourists or visitors (19%) and visits made to take part in non-religious community activities (13%) including playgroups, cultural and social events and meetings.
ComRes interviewed 2,061 GB adults online between the 12th and 14th December 2014. The data was weighted to be demographically representative of all GB adults.
