Care of Churches and their Contents

Guidelines for making a church Inventory of Objects of Artistic and Historic Interest

A booklet compiled to help churches compile an inventory of objects of artistic and historic interest.

booklet (pdf)

A Reference List of Sources of Information providing advice and guidance for the care and conservation of churches and their contents for use by Diocesan Historic Churches Committees.

A list which details a wide range of Organisations and publications concerning the care and conservation of churches and their contents. The list provides a UK supplement to the publication Religious Objects – Preservation and Care produced jointly by The Quebec Minister of Culture & Communications and the Foundation of Religious Patrimony in 2001. The book costs £10 (including p&p) and can be ordered from the Liturgy Office.

Reference list (pdf)

Some Notes and Guidance for those responsible for Listed Buildings under the Government Exemption

A collection of Guidelines prepared for ‘those responsible for Listed Buildings’ but of use to those responsible for other churches too.

Advice on new building in and around existing churches
You and your architect / surveyor
The sale / disposal of items from churches
Church security
A checklist for buying a sound system
Materials for church decoration
Consideration of church floors
Church window guards
Photographic records of stained glass windows
Cleaning of church interiors
Church plate
Church notice boards
Heating your church
Church floodlighting
Health and safety issues
Lightning protection and your church
Skilled labour and church repairs
Parish check list
- Notes and Guidance (pdf)

Guidelines to assist Dioceses with their responsibilities in relation to archaeological matters.

These guidelines have been prepared for Historic Churches Committees to assist them with their responsibilities for listed churches. However many other churches and church grounds may be of archaeological significance and the guidelines are provided also for their use.

Guidelines (pdf)

A Memorandum on the disposal of objects from churches

Memorandum(pdf)

Consecrated for Worship

Bishops' Conference document on the building, alteration, conservation and maintenance of the Church’s places of worship. It assembles material from the liturgical books of the Roman Rite and the teaching documents and guidelines of the Holy See. In addition it applies and develops that teaching to the particular circumstances of the Church in England and Wales.

Consecrated for Worship