We know that Quinquennial Reports come round regularly,
but this time the report identifies a number of areas of work that
seem urgent. We have no money, and as the majority of our cash goes
to the diocese each year, there is little chance of anything in
future years. Are we under a legal requirement to do this work?
What will happen if we don't do it?
SO MANY small churches live under this same cloud: a small
congregation, and too many bills. Even the best stewardship can be
overwhelmed by the challenges of old and dilapidated buildings.
The Quinquennial Inspection Report is advisory, but is part of
the overall protection of the historic environment by which the
Government has handed over responsibility for historic churches to
the main denominations (along with the faculty process). So there
is a legal requirement for churches to be inspected. But the money
to pay for the identified repairs is another issue.
You cannot be obliged to undertake repair works for which the
PCC has no money. The responsibility is collectively on the PCC,
not the individuals - even the churchwardens function as officers
of the PCC in these matters, just as the treasurer does towards
money.
The Church of England's primary purpose is the spiritual
well-being of the parish. This purpose is fulfilled just as often
in modern and less demanding buildings. But most congregations and
PCCs have taken on the building from preceding generations, with
all its spiritual, social, and architectural history. So its time
to stand back, and take stock of who you are, and what you are
doing; even why you go to church.
On this foundation, with regard to your building, you have
choices, only standing back will allow you to explore them
carefully.
Congregations do walk away from buildings that are no longer
sustainable by the PCC, congregation, and parish. Funnily enough,
urban churches are more likely to lack
interested-but-non-church-attending parishioners; there will be
stronger local feelings in small towns and villages about
abandoning the building.
If you take this route, the responsibility for the building
will, in the redundancy process, pass over to the diocese, which
will take decisions about the type of disposal and eventual re-use
or demolition of the building. And the congregation and clergy may
be left to find another useable building. Under some circumstances,
if the old church is sold (many are not readily saleable), some of
the money can help the parish to find another building.
For me, however, that abandonment would be the last possible
choice. Currently, a large part of your funds now go to the
diocese, whose function is to serve the parish churches that are
its constituent parts; so go and get their help. The bishop must
help, the archdeacon should want to help, and a variety of officers
of the diocese may be in jobs designated to help with financial and
building issues.
It may help to negotiate to pay less to the diocese in common
fund, for a year or two. That may tide you over on the maintenance
issues and minor repairs, and give you time to explore ways to
address the church's income in a more manageable way.
With big repairs there is no way for smaller churches, at least,
to fund them. When you can step back from the pressure, there are
good capital funds for which a church can apply: the Heritage
Lottery Fund, Landfill Operators, and local and national trusts may
all be able to help. Try your diocesan adviser on funding, and also
look at the Churchcare website for guidelines and suggested
sources.
Issues and questions to
maggiedurran@virginmedia.com.
