David Cameron, Bear Grylls and other personalities choose their favourite church

St Mary the Virgin Church, Witney, and All Saints Church, Spelsbury, chosen by David Cameron (Photo: National Churches Trust)

Two Oxfordshire churches were the choice of David Cameron for the National Churches Trust's campaign to uncover the nation's favourite churches. 

The Prime Minister selected as his favourite churches St Mary the Virgin, Witney, and All Saints Church, Spelsbury.

Nominations have been made by 60 people from the world of politics, entertainment, journalism, academia and the church.

They include:

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Williams - St Endellion's Church, Port Isaac

Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols - St Edmund's College Chapel, Ware

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg - St Nicholas' Church, Bradfield

Labour leader Ed Miliband - St Mary Magdalene, Doncaster

News presenter Huw Edwards - Capel Als Chapel, Llanelli 

Actor Sir Patrick Stewart - Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

Adventurer Bear Grylls - Holy Trinity Church, Kensington

Writer and broadcaster Michael Palin - St Margaret of Antioch Church, Abbotsley

Actress Joanna Lumley - St Bride's Church, London

Food writer and TV presenter Mary Berry - Holy Trinity Church, Penn

Writer Alain de Botton - All Saints Church, Cockthorpe

The quest to uncover the nation's favourite churches is part of the National Churches Trust's 60th anniversary.

The National Churches Trust is also inviting members of the public to nominate their favourite churches via Twitter using the hashtag #favouritechurch or posting a message on Facebook.

The fun campaign has a serious message behind it as the trust hopes to raise greater awareness of the fact that churches are some of the UK's best loved buildings and need continued funding if they are to be preserved for future generations to enjoy. 

Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust said: "The UK's 47,000 churches, chapels and meeting houses are a tremendous asset to the nation. Together, they form an unparalleled network of public buildings which sustain local communities.

"'The UK's Favourite Churches' is a celebration of some of our most loved and interesting places of worship. Over the summer holidays, I hope more people will discover the joys of visiting churches and seek out some of the churches chosen. There is plenty to see and much history to be discovered."

"When people do visit a church, I hope they will bear in mind that keeping churches, chapels and meeting houses looking beautiful, and able to cope with the demands of the 21st century, costs money.

"Replacing a leaking roof, fixing a leaning spire or repairing precious medieval stonework can cost many hundreds of thousands of pounds - which is much more than most church congregations can afford."

Members of the public can also email their favourite churches to favouritechurches@nationalchurchestrust.org

News
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales

Hundreds of people gathered at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday for the annual Royal Maundy service, held in Wales for only the second time in the service's 800-year history.

Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service
Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service

Over 150 years since a north Wales church was built with plans for a full ring of bells, the sound long intended for its tower is finally set to be heard at an Easter service.

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre
'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose' is beautifully written, with an unusually nuanced approach to political matters.

MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift
MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift

Alastair Campbell famously declared "We don't do God."