Church maintenance and repair: Calendar of Care

Click here to view the full Calendar of Care

Just as prevention is always better than cure, maintenance is preferable to major repairs. But, such repairs may not always be avoidable. Church Care offers a monthly guide in our coming issues Starting in Spring

We can help you understand the common problems and areas that need your special attention, and give you tips for regular maintenance schemes.

Starting in April

1. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will normally be held in April. At this meeting the churchwardens will present the report on the state of the building and of the progress of any necessary work. Will a fundraising effort be necessary this year to pay for building repairs? The parish meeting is a good time to plan this.

 2. If there has been a change of churchwarden at the annual meeting, the outgoing churchwardens should run through the duties with the new ones.

3. Respond to the Articles of Enquiry sent by the archdeacon prior to the visitation. 4. The spring clean that was planned in February can take place in April. Ensure all areas of the church are cleaned but remember that old furnishings, monuments, floors and windows may be damaged by cleaning and that no chemicals should be used on them. For advice on how to clean such things, search the Conservation pages on this site for the particular item or contact your DAC Secretary.

5. Ask the bell captain to check the bells and ringing chamber are in good order and that the steps and ladders in the tower are safe.

6. Tidy the churchyard and start to cut the grass if necessary.

Full calendar in inset thanks to Church Care. For further information visit Advice and guidance for church buildings

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