Historic England's research and the National Churches Trust's House of Good report show that people value historic churches very highly, and the support which churches provide for their local communities.
Historic England used the recognised economic method Discrete Choice Experiments to show that people valued historic churches for their intrinsic character, and would be willing to pay more for their upkeep than for modern churches. Using HM Treasury Green Book methodology, the National Churches Trust showed that churches provide £55 billion of social value per year in the UK, through community activities, foodbanks, etc.
I have worked with several churches and cathedrals, evaluating projects with significant elements of engagement activities supporting repairs to the buildings and improving facilities for users.
The photo is of Blanchland Abbey, where I evaluated their National Lottery Heritage Fund Resilient Heritage Project, and then carried out a review of Blanchland Abbey and some other rural churches for the Diocese of Newcastle.