Representatives of every Christian denomination in Northern Ireland will come together later this month to discuss the shared challenges and opportunities facing places of worship across the country at the Northern Ireland Places of Worship Conference, taking place at The MAC, Belfast on 23–24 March 2026.
The two-day conference which is coordinated by the National Churches Trust with funding from the Department for Communities and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, marks a significant and historic moment for the sector. At a time when churches and other places of worship are navigating rising maintenance costs, changing patterns of attendance, funding pressures and increasing community demand, the event will provide a unique forum for collaboration, evidence-led discussion and practical support.
Bringing together clergy, trustees, volunteers, heritage professionals, funders and policymakers, the conference will explore how places of worship can remain sustainable, accessible and at the heart of their communities for generations to come.
A central focus of the conference will be the launch of the Northern Ireland Places of Worship Survey – a landmark exploration of the condition, use, finances and future outlook of churches and other places of worship across Northern Ireland. This is the first cross-denominational survey of its kind ever undertaken in Northern Ireland and provides an unprecedented evidence base for understanding the sector as a whole.
The findings will offer a comprehensive picture of the current state of places of worship and identify both risks and opportunities facing congregations and communities. The report is expected to inform policy, funding priorities and strategic decision-making over the next decade.
Day One of the conference will focus on sector insight, research findings and strategic discussion. Day Two will provide practical training workshops on subjects including church tourism, building maintenance, fundraising and legacy giving – equipping participants with the tools and skills needed to ensure long-term sustainability.
Speaking about the conference, Claire Walker, CEO of National Churches Trust said;
“This conference represents a pivotal moment for Northern Ireland’s places of worship. By bringing all Christian traditions together around a shared evidence base and common purpose, it sets a new direction for collaboration, resilience and investment in the country’s rich ecclesiastical heritage.
“Places of worship are not only centres of faith but also landmarks of heritage, culture and community life. The Northern Ireland Places of Worship Survey and the conference discussions will help shape how these buildings are cared for, supported and sustained over the next decade.”
Angela Lavin, Senior Investment Manager at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:
“Since 1994, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £1.1billion to 8,300 places of worship projects across the UK. Over the last six years, thanks to National Lottery players, the Treasure Ireland programme has provided over 80 grants to local places of worship to undertake repairs and maintenance as well as delivering specialist, sectoral support to develop skills on fundraising, maintenance, interpretation and tourism.
This conference is a great opportunity to reflect on the programme’s impact on the long-term care of church buildings through its combination of grant funding, capacity building and sector-wide engagement as well as a look ahead to discuss future sustainability challenges.”
Further information about the conference programme and registration details can be found on the National Churches Trust website:
www.nationalchurchestrust.org/
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