The first ever National Church Awards to celebrate churches and the people who look after them are now open for entries.
It's organised by the National Churches Trust and is open to any church, chapel or meeting house in the UK. The categories for the awards are church architecture, church maintenance, church volunteers and church tourism There’s also a special prize for the UK’s ‘Church of the Year’.
Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said: “Churches, chapels and meeting houses are impressive, exciting and surprising. We want to keep them open and in use.”
“Our new National Church Awards bring together all that is brilliant about the work happening in and around church buildings. Architecture, conservation, maintenance, supporting volunteers and providing a great welcome are all hugely important to the future of our churches.”
“Judges will also be choosing the UK's Church of the Year, a very special award which will go to a church that makes an outstanding difference to both the congregation and also the wider local community.”
“We're really excited to be celebrating the UK’s amazing churches and the people who care for them and look forward to entries from all parts of the UK.”
Winners will include churches from each of the four nations.
The National Church Awards will culminate in a e ceremony, including a high tea, to be held at the historic Mercers Company Livery Hall in the City of London in October 2022. Click here to find out how to enter.
