The Balance of Conservation and Mission
Church buildings are places for the worshipping community to gather for the worship of God. The rich and awe-inspiring heritage of the Church's buildings adds a further dimension to this: many church buildings are protected by law because of their architectural or historic significance, and cannot be altered without specific consent. For the Church of England, this is carried out through the faculty jurisdiction system, which covers all churches whether or not they are listed. Some other denominations have their own parallel control systems which, like the faculty jurisdiction, have been accepted by government as providing at least an equivalent level of control.
The Church of England's own legislation makes it clear that the balance between conservation and mission constantly needs to be borne in mind. All work under the faculty jurisdiction is governed by Section 1 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 1991, which states that ‘any person or body carrying out functions of care and conservation under this Measure or under any other enactment or rule of law relating to churches shall have due regard to the role of a church as a local centre of worship and mission'. There is a similar provision in relation to Church of England cathedrals in the Care of Cathedrals Measure 1990.
The tension between conservation and mission can often be exaggerated. The two objectives should not be seen as incompatible. It is perfectly right that the House of God should be well cared for and much conservation is about applying the same consideration of care and maintenance to the church building as prudent householders lavish on their own properties. Using the right materials and methods is more than a matter of artistic taste: it is common sense to ensure that the building will continue to function for the future.
Government policy in relation to historic buildings has long been that the best use for any historic building is that for which it is designed. This is perhaps especially true of church buildings, which are so obviously designed for a specific purpose. But the needs of worshipping communities inevitably change over years and centuries. Most bodies dealing with conservation, however, from DACs to the National Amenity Societies, recognise that it is far better for a building to be kept in use, loved and maintained, if necessary with some adaptation, than to be unchanged but unable to fulfil its function.
It is important, in any project or proposal, that the plans are carefully drawn up by thinking about what the building can do, working with the grain of it, rather than against it. By this means, and with open and frank consultation, giving time for those involved to make their contributions to the discussion, most potential conflicts can be resolved. It is hoped that the advice in this website helps that process.
November 2007
