In the Diocese of Ely, twelve churches with bell installations are maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust (formerly known as The Redundant Churches Fund) with money provided by Parliament and the Church of England, and by the gifts of the public.

Although no longer used for regular worship the churches remain consecrated buildings.

Round tower churches are:

• mostly found in East Anglia;

• often over 1000 years old, built in Saxon times;

• usually set in rural tranquility; 

• frequently holders of intriguing relics from long ago.

The Round Tower Churches Society exists to work for the preservation of these churches, and to investigate further their origins and history. In the Society's almost 40 years of existence it has made grants to more than 150 of the approximately 185 English round tower churches.

Since 1957 the Friends of Friendless Churches have campaigned for the preservation of ancient and beautiful but redundant churches. They now own over 40 former places of worship, half in England, half in Wales, which are preserved as peaceful spaces for visitors and the local community to enjoy.