Advice and guidance for church buildings

We offer guidance and advice on the day-to-day maintenance of your church and on how to go about making changes to your building.

If you’re interested in the support available to help church in rural areas, we also recommending visiting the Arthur Rank Centre.

  1. Row of organ pipes inside church

    Organs

    Your church organ needs regular maintenance, and every 20 to 30 years it might also need a few repairs. We can help you make good choices when the time comes to repair or replace it.

  2. Wall painting of baby Jesus in the manger with Mary, Joseph and angel

    Paintings and Wall Paintings

    Many paintings were commissioned and painted especially for their place in the church and can be fragile and vulnerable to physical or environmental changes. Our guidance will help you to understand how these paintings were made, what types of damage to look out for, and when to call in a professional conservator for advice.

  3. The steps to make a purchase in a cycle

    Procurement

    There are some circumstances where you will be required to go through a formal tendering and procurement process – for example if you are completing a project funded by public or government money. However it is a good idea to follow these processes if even you are not required to, as it ensures that you know you are getting good value for money. The process to procure goods, and to recruit consultants and contractors must be fair and open. We can guide you through the requirements.

  4. Church exterior with graveyard in foreground and sea in background

    Quinquennial inspections

    Every five years...

  5. Solar Panels at Brighton St George

    Renewable energy

    Renewable energy installations are more and more common and affordable. But it’s important to choose the right one for your building and community use.

  6. Close up an unfinished church lead roof

    Roofs

    Your church roof keeps out water and prevents the deterioration of your building and its content. We can help you make sure it is carefully maintained.

  7. Archaeological ruins of a church building

    Ruined churches

    Ruined churches are a treasured feature of our countryside. For some parishes, they can be an expensive headache.  But for others, they represent an opportunity. We can help you understand how to deal with ruins in your care.

  8. A man smiling on pew in church talking with other people

    Seating

    Historic seating can be significant in its own right as well as a major element of the significance of the church as a whole. Changing or replacing it can have a big impact on the interior of your church. We can help you understand your seating and the options for making changes.

  9. Church bookshop inside bell tower

    Sharing your building and finding partners

    We want to encourage you to make wider, more imaginative and more strategic use of your church building, opening it up to all in your community and giving people new reasons to cross the threshold. We can help you select the right legal and funding model to develop your building for uses beyond worship.

  10. ground view image of Highbury St Augustine

    Solar Panels at St Augustine's, Highbury

    Keywords; Net-zero Carbon, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Solar, Diocese of London, Parish Church, External Example