Recent coverage of Southwell Minster’s financial position has prompted questions about how the Church of England funds its cathedrals, the role of the Church Commissioners, and who is responsible for the care and maintenance of cathedral buildings.
These arrangements are complex, and there are sometimes misunderstandings about how funding and responsibilities are shared between individual cathedrals and the national Church.
The following information addresses two questions we have been asked, and briefly explains the relevant legal and financial framework.
Why can’t the Church of England simply pay to support Southwell Minster?
The Church Commissioners manage the Church of England’s historic endowment, which is invested to support the Church’s work across the country, including its clergy, churches, cathedrals and communities.
While the Church Commissioners provide funding to support this work, their investment fund isn’t a central pot of money that individual churches and cathedrals can draw upon whenever they need it. There are legal restrictions on how the Commissioners can use their funds, and they must balance the needs of the Church nationally, both now and for future generations.
The Cathedrals Measure 2021 is a piece of Church of England legislation, approved by Parliament, which sets out how cathedrals in England are governed, managed and funded.
Section 28 of the Measure lists the payments and grants the Church Commissioners can make to cathedrals. These include funding for clergy, certain staff costs and other specified purposes. However, the legislation does not provide a general entitlement to funding for cathedral building repairs or maintenance.
Southwell Minster does already receive support from the Church Commissioners, including funding towards the costs of our clergy and two members of staff, alongside some strategic funding and administrative support.
However, like other cathedrals, we are responsible for raising much of the income needed to sustain our day-to-day work and care for our historic buildings. This must come from donations, fundraising, grants, visitor contributions and income from our activities.
Despite these efforts, our income has not been enough to meet all our costs and the investment needed in our buildings. We are working closely with the Church Commissioners as next steps are considered.
Who actually owns Southwell Minster?
This is another question we’ve been asked, and it’s an important distinction to explain.
Although Southwell Minster is part of the Church of England, the cathedral building is legally held in trust by its Cathedral Chapter, which is the charity responsible for governing the Minster.
Chapter is responsible for the care, maintenance and repair of the building. There are legal restrictions on selling it or using it as a financial asset. The cathedral is not owned by the Church Commissioners, and being part of the wider Church of England does not mean that the national Church automatically meets the costs of maintaining the building.