Someone once said that priests and clergy, like anyone, are more skilled in some areas than others. Some are good with money, some better with pastoral care, some better at preaching. Wherever the skills lie, a thing that’s sometimes overlooked by priest and people alike, particularly on heritage buildings is the need to care for the church fabric itself.
The Heart of A Church
The people are at the heart of a church, of course, but looking after the church fabric will ensure the people of the church have a focal point for worship. The church community can come together in comfort in a warm, well-maintained building. A well-maintained building can also help contribute to the life of the wider community. It can serve as a venue for events, meeting place for groups like scouts and guides, and much more. The adage ‘a stitch, in time, saves nine’ is completely true when it comes to building maintenance.
So what are the key things to remember when maintaining a church building?
The Key Areas of Church Fabric Maintenance
The churches trust cite three key areas:
- Inspection
- Maintenance
- Minor repairs
Inspection is where Chawton Hill can help. The team of expert surveyors we work with can provide detailed and clear reports to help you identify what tasks to prioritise in terms of maintenance and repair. The team can provide you with a prioritised list of elements of repair, identifying when and what needs doing, to ensure you have a manageable programme and help you budget works. Working to a schedule, we help you ensure your church fabric stays in top condition and is fit for generations to come.
Chawton Hill’s experience also means we can help you with design, and finding the best, most efficient and economical suppliers to carry out work where needed.
Whatever your need, take a look at our guide to church projects. The guide includes useful information on many aspects to consider when undertaking work to maintain and repair church buildings. And if you have a specific project in mind, get in touch with the team today. We’ll be happy to help.