Looking to the future, St Mary’s Church, Harrow-on-the-Hill could develop its role as both a place of worship and a steward of historic and environmental heritage. As a listed historic building and an important landmark within the Harrow borough, the church has an opportunity to demonstrate how heritage can contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Climate change should form part of the church’s long-term stewardship strategy, particularly through measures such as improving energy efficiency, reducing unnecessary energy consumption, exploring renewable energy where appropriate to a historic building, and using sustainable materials and maintenance practices. These measures would contribute particularly to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11.4 (protecting cultural heritage), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The church could also use its historic setting and community role to promote education and environmental awareness. Working with local schools, including its historic relationship with Harrow School, St Mary’s could develop educational activities on the relationship between heritage, climate change and sustainable development. Its churchyard could become a valuable educational and ecological resource through biodiversity projects, tree planting where appropriate, wildlife monitoring, wildflower areas and responsible management of natural habitats. This would connect the church’s heritage mission with SDG 4.7 (education for sustainable development), SDG 13.3 (education and awareness of climate change), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Heritage walks, exhibitions, talks and digital resources could similarly explain how the church and the surrounding landscape have changed over centuries and how they might be protected for future generations.
Finally, St Mary’s could strengthen its contribution to social sustainability by ensuring that its activities remain accessible and relevant to the whole local community. The church can provide a safe space where people of different ages and backgrounds meet through worship, music, volunteering, educational activities, social events and community projects. Practical initiatives could include reducing waste at church events, encouraging sustainable travel, supporting local suppliers, sharing resources with community organisations and considering how the church can contribute to addressing social isolation and inequality. In this sense, climate action need not be treated as a separate activity from the church’s existing mission: protecting the historic building, caring for its natural environment, educating future generations and strengthening community relationships can form part of one integrated approach to stewardship. This aligns particularly with SDGs 1.4, 4.7, 8.9, 11.4, 12.8, 13.1–13.3 and 15, while also supporting the broader principle of the UN 2030 Agenda that environmental, social and cultural sustainability are interconnected.
2027 and Beyond
Near term commitments made by the church committee include replacing the roof tiles, adding solar panels and modernising the bathroom facilities. Replacing damaged or deteriorating roof tiles would help St Mary’s church remain a well-maintained and weather-resistant historic building for future generations to come. A sound roof reduces water ingress, heat loss and the need for repeated repairs, while selecting durable and responsibly sourced materials can reduce waste and the environmental impact of maintenance. Installing solar panels, where compatible with the building’s heritage significance, could generate renewable electricity on site and reduce the reliance on grid electricity. Together, these measures support SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11.4 (Protecting Cultural Heritage), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Modernising the bathroom facilities could also improve the church’s environmental performance by introducing water-efficient toilets, taps and other fittings, reducing both water consumption and its associated energy use. Improved facilities would make the building more practical and accessible for congregations, visitors, volunteers and community activities, supporting its continued use rather than allowing the building to become underused with time. Taken together, investment in the roof, renewable energy and efficient facilities would help St Mary’s preserve its historical fabric while adapting the building for sustainable use in the 21st century.