CHURCH RECORDING

As part of its commitment to protect our national heritage, NADFAS encourages its member societies to set up Church Recording [CR] groups. The activity of recording the contents and internal fabric of a church is highly educational to anyone interested in fine arts, and appeals to people who want to do something practical, as well as developing their own knowledge in depth. The final objective is to produce an illustrated and professional publication, copies of which are lodged with the V&A Museum, the local Church and County Record Office and various other national archives. Over the last 30 years DFAS groups in UK and abroad have completed the CR of over 1,000 churches. These records have proved valuable not only to experts in the fine arts and to historians, but have also helped to the restore or recover objects which become damaged or lost through natural causes or through theft and vandalism. Insurance companies and other local charitable bodies therefore encourage the recording by giving financial support to CR groups.

Members of Englemere, Ascot and Surrey Heath DFAS have recorded the contents of St Michael and All Angels, Sunninghill. Roger Allen [now NADFAS national head of CR] and his team of 17 volunteers started in the autumn of 2001 and completed it in January 2004 with the printing and distribution of copies to the above archives. Very generous financial support was given by St John’s College, Cambridge; the Sunninghill Fuel Allotment Trust and by the Goldsmith’s Company, London. One copy was beautifully bound and presented to the church in June 2004.

Along with members from Ascot and Surrey Heath DFAS's,  the Englemere DFAS CR team are now assisting Windlebrook DFAS with the recording of St. Lawrence Church in Chobham and additional volunteers are always welcome. Previous experience and knowledge are always valuable, but not essential. If you would like further information please contact chairman@englemere-dfas.org.

NADFAS offers many publications to help the beginner, and there is a fascinating rolling programme of study days, visits and training which can be viewed on the NADFAS website [see “Useful Links” page].

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