Up to 19 churches in a town could close because of rising costs.
The plan has been put forward by the Diocese of Liverpool, which oversees churches in Wigan, Greater Manchester.
It has already outlined four churches that will be “released” with another 15 sites at risk of closure.
The diocese said they had to “face the reality that they cannot afford to invest” in all churches as it currently costs £1m per year to maintain church buildings in the borough.