THE architectural historian and committed Anglican Sir Roy Strong has proposed a drastic solution to the problem of tiny congregations in country churches: burn the pews and share the buildings with community centres and farmers’ markets.

“It’s unreal for many of these churches to continue,” said Strong, who is high bailiff of Westminster Abbey. “They have these so-called untouchable brown wooden pews. But why not rip them out and burn them?”

His call comes as the Anglican authorities ease procedures for buildings to be given other uses — post offices are to open in two village churches next month.

Strong, a former director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, puts forward his arguments in a book to be published by Jonathan Cape in September.

He estimates there are 10,000 country churches, most built in the Middle Ages when most people lived on the land. In Herefordshire, his home county, he says some priests have to look after as many as 14 parishes.

“Country churches can only survive if they are repossessed by the community,” said Strong. “The last resort is demolition, but I’d much prefer to adapt them to the needs of the 21st century.”

While conceding that some parts of the churches should be kept for religious purposes, he argues that the rest could be put to better use: “Like farmers’ markets, bring and buy sales, for the schools, for meetings. For the village community to be secure the church once again needs to be at its centre.”

In Herefordshire he has found only one, St Michael and All Angels, Winforton, which has already adapted. Pews have been replaced by chairs, a lavatory with access for disabled people has been installed and a kitchen has been put in.

His solution will upset traditionalists. The Labour MP Frank Field, also a strong Christian, has another plan. He wants a National Trust for Churches with members paying an extra £10 a year to help churches in need. His plan is more about saving the structures than on finding a use for them.

Canon law puts significant obstacles in the way of converting churches for other uses, but St Bega’s in Eskdale, Cumbria, and St Mary and St Rhadegund’s, Whitwell, on the Isle of Wight, are to be part-converted into post offices next month.

The Anglican authorities are working closely with the rural division of Post Office Ltd about adapting more of its buildings.

Among those already serving as farmers’ markets are St Mary the Virgin, Rolvenden, and St Giles, Shipbourne, both in Kent.

Others, such as St John’s in Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire, have opened small shops after the closure of village stores while some, such as St John’s in Delabole, Cornwall, have been adapted for multi-purpose social functions.

The chancel and nave here have been separated by a screen, with the nave used by an after-school club, a youth group anda sewing group and for discos, dances, concerts, children’s parties and even kick-boxing.