Maintaining our church buildings and churchyards to keep them in good condition, and changing them so that they remain fit for purpose in today’s world, are important parish responsibilities - a vital part of our mission and ministry.
Due to the special status of church buildings, this kind of work is subject to extensive legal controls and permission procedures, especially where church buildings are Listed. Parishes must comply with a body of ecclesiastical law as well as secular legislation.
Below are links to guidance documents and other helpful websites to help with this.
If you have further questions after checking the relevant information below, please do contact the DAC Secretary, Christine Elders, who can advise on all matters relating to churches and churchyards.
The DAC
The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches and Churchyards (DAC membership) has a key role in helping parishes manage the work of maintenance and change, and is required to review and comment on all proposed works. It is a statutory body appointed by the Bishop’s Council, so is a key part of this diocese’s governance structure and works closely with the Diocesan Registry.
Meetings will be held either on Teams or twice a year at the Diocesan offices.
| Meeting Dates | Deadline for receipt of applications |
|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2026 | 18 Sep 2026 |
| 3 Dec 2026 | 19 Nov 2026 |
| 4 Feb 2027 | 21 Jan 2027 |
| 8 Apr 2027 | 25 Mar 2027 |
| 3 Jun 2027 | 20 May 2027 |
| 5 Aug 2027 | 22 Jul 2027 |
| 7 Oct 2027 | 23 Sep 2027 |
| 2 Dec 2027 | 18 Nov 2027 |
Each parish should keep an up-to-date list of its assets and significant occurrences within its buildings. The following templates for both the Terrier & Inventory (an inventory of land, containing all the articles/items related to the church) and Log Book (a comprehensive record of all alterations, additions, removals or repairs to the fabric, fixtures and fittings of the church and churchyard, during five quinquennial periods) will help with keeping your records updated. Please make sure that historic versions of these documents are lodged with the local archive.
• The Church Log Book• Church Property Register (Terrier and Inventory)
The documents are produced by the Council for the Care of Churches and are also available to purchase as printed versions at Church House Publishing if you wish.
Maintaining buildings and churchyards
Parishes are required by law to have the fabric of their church buildings and churchyards inspected by a suitably qualified architect or surveyor every five years (called the ‘quinquennial inspection’). There are diocesan mechanisms to ensure that this takes place and that any recommendations for remedial work are actioned.
Essential diocesan guidance for making changes to buildings or churchyards
The key diocesan guidance for changing your buildings or churchyards can be found in the following downloads. Please read them carefully before planning your project or getting in touch with the DAC:
Making changes to church buildings and churchyards - Online Faculty System User Manual
- ChurchCare Guidance on Statements of Significance and Needs
- Lists A & B 2022
- Additional Matters Orders
- Churchyard Regulations 2022
- Form CR1 Permission from Incumbent to Introduce Monument to Churchyard
- Model Regulations for Gardens of Remembrance
The website of Guildford Diocesan Registry, the diocese’s legal office, guidance on the processes.
National websites
The Church of England’s national Churchcare, including a basic maintenance regime and advice on building security.
Churchcare Guidance to PCCs on Churchyard Planting Lists A and B
Contested Heritage - Guidance on considering your options.
Depositing Items with the Cathedral Treasury
Notices of current faculty petitions
On the advice from the Diocesan Registry and in line with legislation, notices for certain faculty petitions are required to be displayed on the diocesan website. Below are the notices we are required to publish. Click on the name of the parish to access the notice.
Chertsey St Peter with All Saints Faculty Works Notice
Walton-on-Thames St Mary's Faculty Works Notice
Christ Church Woking Faculty Works Notice