IHBC’s NW Branch conference: Faith communities, challenges, and ‘The Work of Faith…’ – Liverpool 18 Oct, for ‘a unique take on faith’

The North West (NW) Branch of the IHBC hosts its 2018 annual conference – ‘The Work of Faith’ – in Liverpool on 18 October, exploring the work of faith communities and the challenges they face in managing and conserving historic places of worship, with fees starting at £70 (concessionary: students/retired) and the programme including special guided tour options (Only 2 of 3 still available, so book early!).

IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘This conference offers a unique take on faith communities, and their relationship to the fabric and places of faith and their futures.  With key site visits adding hugely to the CPD and networking opportunities on offer from out North West Branch volunteers, this is a very important event for all stakeholders.’

‘Of course this rare programme will be of particular interest to anyone with professional or specialist roles in faith-related buildings and the places they occupy.’

‘Clearly this is a great opportunity for conservation officers, planners, architects, developers, property owners, amenity societies, and all those who manage and care for historic places of worship, and the areas and settings they shape and inform.’

Marion Barter IHBC, historic building consultant, who led HESPR member AHP’s national survey of Quaker Meeting Houses, and who is also a former DAC member, said: ‘This is a great opportunity to hear about recent work on understanding the significance of some less well-known religious buildings, to visit some of Liverpool’s great buildings and to find out about successful change’.

The conference itself brings together a range of speakers from the heritage sector and different faiths to discuss the significance; care and use; adaptation and reuse of heritage assets used by different faith groups. It will also consider some examples of best practice, current trends and change in congregational use and expectations and many other challenges that places of worship can face.

The event will be held at the Liverpool Medical Institute on Mount Pleasant opposite Sir Frederick Gibberd’s Roman Catholic Cathedral. Delegates will have the opportunity to undertake a tour during the day’s proceedings, choosing from the Princess Road Synagogue, St Luke’s ‘bombed out church and the Anglican Cathedral.

IHBC NW Branch writes:

This year’s conference focusses upon the many challenges faced in the conservation of historic places of worship. These buildings are used by a wide range of denominations and faiths, including churches and chapels, meeting houses, synagogues, gurdawaras, temples, mandirs and mosques. An increasing number of secular buildings are now also being used by faith groups, such as former schools and cinemas. These buildings often have a key presence in the wider historic environment, contributing positively to the quality of the local townscape and a sense of place as well as embodying evidential, historical, aesthetic and communal values.

Managing places of worship to ensure their long term preservation and ongoing use whilst minimising harm to their significance can be a considerable challenge. This may require balancing evolving faith practices, congregational expectations, and accommodating a wider range of activities alongside ongoing maintenance and historic fabric repair. The conference will consider different ways in which this balance can be achieved in order to support their ongoing use as places of worship, particularly where there is a need to make physical changes to the fabric or install new facilities for community use.

Where a religious use cannot be sustained, these buildings often present unique challenges – as well as opportunities – to accommodate alternative new uses. Examples of best practice will be highlighted to illustrate how places of worship can be adapted and converted to new uses whilst minimising harm to their significance.

The conference will be of interest to conservation officers, planners, architects, developers, property owners, amenity societies, and all those who manage and care for historic places of worship.

For more details and booking please go to worship.ihbc.org.uk

For more on HESPR see hespr.ihbc.org.uk

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