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A Brief Background to Church Recording

In 1971 the metalwork department of the Victoria & Albert Museum (the V &A) were arranging an exhibition of Victorian Church Art and realised that many church inventories were not up to date and were woefully inadequate. There was no money to do the research and recording. Following discussions between the V & A and NADFAS (now the Arts Society) 3 trial projects were set up. Having been approved by the Director of the V & A, church recording was launched in 1971. Since then over 2000 churches have been recorded. The aim is to record every item of church furnishing together with some of the church building.

(King’s Lynn church recorders have recorded 24 churches in North West Norfolk.)

The work is done to a template which covers every aspect of the item and photographs are taken of most items. As much history as can be discovered is included and the Record includes a list of all names mentioned which is important for anyone researching family history.

The completed record is presented to the church and copies go to the local Record Office, the V & A Art Library, ChurchCare and national archives. It is not available on line for reasons of security but there is an Index, available through the CRS website which can be accessed.

Church recording was an official volunteering activity of NADFAS for many years but is now a separate charity (churchrecordingsociety.org.uk) though often supported by local TAS societies.

A church record costs about £200, which is the cost of printing. Volunteers give their time and travel free. All recorders are full or national members of TAS which covers them for insurance as volunteers. If recorders belong to different societies the costs can be shared by the two societies.

It would be lovely to start a new group but perhaps joining with the King’s Lynn group could be a start. I realise that a number of my recorders have joined TASNWN.

I hope this gives you a good idea of what church recording is about and hope TASNWN can support us.

Lesley Nadel

For further information please contact Lesley Nadel  

Email: lesleynadel@aol.com   or Tel: 07909918890

A Brief Background to Church Recording

In 1971 the metalwork department of the Victoria & Albert Museum (the V &A) were arranging an exhibition of Victorian Church Art and realised that many church inventories were not up to date and were woefully inadequate. There was no money to do the research and recording. Following discussions between the V & A and NADFAS (now the Arts Society) 3 trial projects were set up. Having been approved by the Director of the V & A, church recording was launched in 1971. Since then over 2000 churches have been recorded. The aim is to record every item of church furnishing together with some of the church building.

(King’s Lynn church recorders have recorded 24 churches in North West Norfolk.)

The work is done to a template which covers every aspect of the item and photographs are taken of most items. As much history as can be discovered is included and the Record includes a list of all names mentioned which is important for anyone researching family history.

The completed record is presented to the church and copies go to the local Record Office, the V & A Art Library, ChurchCare and national archives. It is not available on line for reasons of security but there is an Index, available through the CRS website which can be accessed.

Church recording was an official volunteering activity of NADFAS for many years but is now a separate charity (churchrecordingsociety.org.uk) though often supported by local TAS societies.

A church record costs about £200, which is the cost of printing. Volunteers give their time and travel free. All recorders are full or national members of TAS which covers them for insurance as volunteers. If recorders belong to different societies the costs can be shared by the two societies.

It would be lovely to start a new group but perhaps joining with the King’s Lynn group could be a start. I realise that a number of my recorders have joined TASNWN.

I hope this gives you a good idea of what church recording is about and hope TASNWN can support us.

Lesley Nadel

For further information please contact Lesley Nadel  

Email: lesleynadel@aol.com   or Tel: 07909918890