Caring for Church Buildings

Experience shows that we neglect basic maintenance at our peril. On this page, therefore, we provide access to some practical, easy to follow guidance on church care and maintenance.

A worrying statistic: 3 out of 4 ‘Listed’ churches in the North East require attention to basic maintenance, according to English Heritage research (in 2008). Take no notice of a damp ceiling or a rotten timber and you could end up in deeply expensive trouble. But most of all, ignoring a blocked gutter or down-comer could lead to more serious problems.

Here are some sources of free (but priceless!) guidance on church care and maintenance that we think you will find useful:

The ‘Little Red Book’

English Heritage launched a free, practical booklet 'Caring for Places of Worship' in 2010. This includes useful sections on improving maintenance, opening the building to more visitors, widening community use, fundraising and making the building more secure.

• Click here to download a copy of Caring for Places of Worship.
• Alternatively, ask us – we still have a few copies in the Inspired North East office.

Faith in Maintenance - a free video guide

SPAB has produced an excellent video of practical guidelines especially for churches. The video was produced to accompany SPAB's popular Faith in Maintenance one-day courses, aimed at churchwardens and anyone else involved in the care of church buildings.

• Click here to watch the Faith in Maintenance video online now. 
• A handy DVD version is also available free of charge via Inspired North East.

ChurchCare website

Check out the practical advice and safety guidance on the excellent ‘Caring for your Church Building’ pages provided by the churchcare website. This includes...

• Maintenance - highlighting common problems and areas that need special attention as well as giving advice, guidance and tips for regular maintenance scheme. See especially Maintenance of Rainwater Goods and Drainage.
• A Calendar of Care – check this every month and you won’t go far wrong!
• Health and Safety in Churches - although churches do not generally present significant safety hazards, it is important that hazards are identified, risks assessed, and action taken where necessary. See also the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

The Church in Your Care

Newcastle Diocese has produced a 36-page guidance dossier (2008) that includes notes on looking after your church, as well as guidance on the Faculty process, planning for change, preparing Statements of significance etc. 

• Click here to download a copy of The Church in Your Care.