The Church of England has issued some helpful advice for Incumbents, Churchwardens and PCC members to help them with some of the practicalities of closing a church building for an extended period of time.
The document, published on the Church of England website via the Coronavirus FAQs page, will be updated on a regular basis and will always be available to download.
This version was correct as of the 28 March and covers the following areas:
- Telling the local community what's happening
- How to close the church building
- Insurance
- Finances
- Building works and public notices
- Bats
- Churchyard
In addition to the Church of England advice, Ecclesiastical Insurance have also issued their own guidance for managing temporarily closed churches and other church properties. They have highlighted five top priorities for temporarily closed churches and church properties:
Five top priorities from Ecclesiastical Insurance.
Church Buildings Missioner in the Diocese of Chester, Emily Allen, has just written a blog reflecting on the decision to close church buildings. She also provides practical tips and thoughts on how your church building can be a blessing, even when the doors are shut.
Being a House of Prayer
28 March 2020
By Emily Allen, Church Buildings Missioner
emily.allen@chester.anglican.org
Stay informed
View our Coronavirus page on the diocesean website which has an archive of key announcements, statements, pastoral notes and changes to diocesan policy. You can also sign up to receive our regular Coronavirus Briefing.