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  • Caring for your church building
  • Caring for your church’s contents
  • Caring for your churchyard
  • Developing your church building
  • The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches
  • DAC Meeting dates 2011/12
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Caring for your church building

Church buildings are places of worship and also often the focus of communities beyond the worshipping congregation. However, unless the building is well maintained and cared for, none of these activities can take place. Also, the long history of local worship and community life as evident in the architecture requires the best care possible, in order to preserve this unique heritage for future generations.

Maintenance and appropriate care are the basis for any preventive conservation. A properly maintained church building will survive for future generations to enjoy. Good maintenance also saves money by minimising the need for major repairs. William Morris's motto to "stave off decay by daily care" still holds true today. The best means of preserving our church heritage is to look after it in an appropriate way.

Just as prevention is always better than cure, maintenance is preferable to major repairs. However, repairs may not always be avoidable. The building may develop structural problems, materials eventually wear out, older repairs may contribute to decay, there may be fungal or insect infestations, or the building needs a redecoration.

Whatever the repair needs of your church, it is important to establish the cause of the damage in order to avoid repeated decay and loss of original fabric. Therefore, the first step should always be to consult your architect about any suspected or perceived damage as he can best determine the cause and extent of the damage and advise you on suitable repair methods.

March 2011 - If you are insured with Ecclesiastical, please be aware of these changes to their theft of external metal insurance cover. Click here for more information.