Major Churches Network

[1] These buildings are often former monastic properties which became parish churches after the English Reformation, or civic parish churches built at a time of great wealth.

The group met every two years in conference to share ideas.

These define a Major Parish Church as having exceptional significance, being physically very large (over 1000m2 footprint), listed as Grade I, II* (or exceptionally II), open to visitors daily, having a role or roles beyond those of a typical parish church, and making a considerable civic, cultural, and economic contribution to their community.

Several of these buildings are former monastic properties that were converted to parish church use after the English Reformation; others are large parish churches built at a time of great wealth.

What they have in common are the requirements to offer facilities to many visitors, host special services, offer community access and fund the specialist maintenance and repair of these large buildings, most of which are Grade I listed.