same goes for all these stately homes falling to wreck and ruin, so they open them up to the public and charge so they can raise funds for extensive repairs and upkeep. a recent initiative by EH was to refurbish apethorpe hall and then sell it to a private buyer or consortium on condition it was open to the pubclic x days a year.
Churches don't only pay for repairs to the structure - they have to raise funds to pay their priests' wages and living expenses too. Many churches with small congregations really struggle to make ends meet.