Church Recorders

That we are surrounded by examples of the Decorative and Fine Arts is a statement of the obvious but that there are collections of such examples in the Country’s Churches may not be quite so obvious. Look at the interior of any Church and we are immediately aware that we are surrounded by interesting artefacts – memorials, metalwork, stonework, woodwork, textiles, paintings, books (not only Bibles!), windows with stained glass or otherwise, clocks, musical instruments and so forth. All of these are of interest form various points of view: how did they arrive at the Church? Who made them and how? Who presented them and was it memory of someone, if so whom. Research is often called for which can lead in many and varied directions.

Members of the Society who are interested in these matters (there is, incidentally no need to be a churchgoer) can join a group of Church Recorders engaged in making  a comprehensive record of the furnishings and some of the fabric in a Church with photographs and/or drawings and to verify, when possible, the history of these furnishings. The results of this work are embodied in a bound volume – The Church Record – which is presented to the Church. Copies are also given to the Diocesan and County Records Office, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Records Office..

The record acts as a valuable resource to inform all concerned with the management and preservation of church heritage as it gives a full description of each item, its history and provenance. It is sad that today churches are thought to provide easy pickings for criminals and a playground for vandals. A Church Record helps the police and insurance companies identify and recover lost and stolen items and also helps restorers in the repair of damaged material.

Chiltern DFAS Church Recorders (in conjunction with members Amersham and Chalfont Societies), have recently completed records for St Mary Magdalene at Great Hampden, with its wonderful Hampden Memorial, and St Mary Magdalene at Flaunden as well as the record for theChurch at Latimer (also dedicated to St Mary Magdalene – a strange coincidence of dedications!). The Record for the Church at Cholesbury is also now complete.

It is a fascinating and rewarding way of learning and helping preserve the contents of our churches.