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Audio visual equipment in church buildings |
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![]() New AV system helps church become community hub Churchgoers at Littleover Methodist Church near Derby are hoping their new £1.9m base will become a hub of the community. Along with all its new facilities it also has a linked sound and AV system installed by SA Sound Services, so that services can be heard in rooms throughout the building. This guidance is issued by the Church Buildings Council under section 55(1)(d) of the Dioceses, Mission and Pastoral Measure 2007. As it is statutory guidance, it must be considered with great care. The standards of good practice set out in the guidance should not be departed from unless the departure is justified by reasons that are spelled out clearly, logically and convincingly. The majority of Anglican churches now use audio visual equipment as part of regular services. The technical specification for any fixed installation is crucial and will depend on your building and usage. Seek professional advice from an independent adviser, and make early contact with your DAC Secretary to discuss any new scheme. The technical details will be unique to each church, but there are some general principles to consider when looking at new installations which impact on the fabric and appearance of the church. Speakers With any sound system the question of what the speakers will look like and where to position them is key. As always, engage with the DAC at an early stage to seek advice and opinion on what you have in mind.
![]() ![]() Sound desks These are often the only fixed piece of ‘furniture’ in a church after a major reordering and can become more dominant than is desirable or necessary.
Think carefully about whether what you’re using to store / house equipment has any significance and whether it is compromised by the new use. For example, it would be inappropriate to fill the remaining box pew in the church with electrical equipment. ![]() Projectors and screens and monitors Screen projection of liturgical texts, words of hymns and songs, material related to the sermon and still images or videos for reflection is now common, supplementing or supplanting printed material, and in line with contemporary culture. Consider the impact of this on worshippers' visual and mental focal points. The layout of most historic churches doesn’t work well with large screens and there are inevitable problems with sightlines and positioning. Ingenious solutions are often needed to get a professional looking arrangement.
![]() ![]() Guidance reproduced courtesy of Church of England www.churchcare.co.uk You can find a selection of Audio Visual experts in suitable categories in our directory including Loop Systems, Sound Systems, Fire Safety, Electrical, Security and Acoustics by searching in your area for the type of company you need. |