The Friends of Friendless Churches rescues and protect historic places of worship in England and Wales. If you enjoy reading about history and heritage, and appreciate Britain’s beautiful historic buildings, we think you would love our magazine. It’s delivered to our members around the world twice a year, and all new members receive the latest issue in their welcome pack.
“Your magazine really is a unique insight into an un-monitored realm of conservation and accompanied by excellent illustrations. It is first class.”
Sir Simon Jenkins, author of 'England's Thousand Best Churches'
Each issue features articles by guest authors, who take a deep dive into the fabric of our churches, and reveal fascinating stories of the people, events, beliefs, customs, politics and physical landscapes that have shaped these places over the centuries.
In our current issue:
The magazine also includes a unique, trusted round-up of the latest heritage news, curated by heritage sector expert, Matthew Saunders and a vivid report by our Director, Rachel Morley, on our current projects. Every issue also includes reviews and listings of inspiring new books.
Our long-running magazine was redesigned in 2021 with 65 full-colour pages featuring beautiful photography and artwork, printed on a fine recycled paper and delivered in a compostable bag.
Membership, including our bi-annual magazine, starts at £30 per year.
Tim Bridges, a Conservation Advisor to the Victorian Society and member of Hereford DAC, explores the history of St Mary’s, Kenderchurch — from pre-Christian settlement, to the dedication of a church to 6th-century Welsh saint Cynidr, to later rebuilds that have also left their legacy in the church’s architecture and furnishings.
Rev. Dr Allan Barton, an independent art historian and lecturer and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, sheds light on the meaning and significance of medieval Doom paintings.
At St Michael and All Angels’, Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire, the lychgate handles are a pair of small hands cast in bronze. The gate was made by a local family-firm of engineering entrepreneurs known as ‘Knacky’ Stephens. But whose hands were they?
The FoFC is an independent, non-denominational charity which receives no government funding in England, and a modest grant in Wales. We rescue, repair and lovingly maintain more than 60 historic places of worship in England and Wales … and many more churches desperately need our help.
One of the best ways to support our work is by becoming a member or buying a gift membership. Members receive our highly regarded magazine as well as a membership pack with an A to Z guide to our churches and invitations to our AGM and members’ tea.
The magazine is full of fascinating information about The Friends’ churches and chapels included in articles written by those with a deep and scholarly interest in their subjects but which are easy to read and understand. The layout and print of the publication is immensely attractive and the colour photographs illustrating the articles of excellent quality. I always look forward to receiving my copy of this publication. So may I thank you and your team for producing something which is both a pleasure to read and to hold in the hand.
Jonathan Aylett, Member
