Locked Churches!

A locked church is distinctly un-Christian. Statistics and research show that a locked church is more likely to be vandalised and to have things of greater value stolen from it if the building is locked during the day. The Ecclesiastical insurance company, National Churchwatch, the Church of England and the Bath and Wells Diocese all actively promote the opening of churches during daylight hours. And when locked for much of the year is most definitely well on its way to becoming a dead church.

Despite the overwhelming case for keeping churches unlocked a minority do keep their doors firmly closed. In our experience whatever nonsense might be spouted by keyholders and churchwardens about 'security' or 'insurance requirements', the primary reason, unfortunately, for a church being locked during the day is sheer laziness on their part. As bizarre as it might sound at least one of the churchwardens we have met during our travels couldn't even understand why anyone who didn't live in the village would want to look inside. Even viewing the church somehow as her own private property. Fortunately for those who love churches these individuals are still very much in the minority. Should you find a church locked, discover who has the key, and ask politely to be let in.