Suffolk’s 478 parish churches are unrivalled for their rich history, architecture and contents.  The work of the Church Recorders of The Arts Society Bury St Edmunds in making a detailed record of the significant things in a Church contributes to national and local archives and is a wealth of information for the Church.  We describe, measure, photograph and research as much as possible and all our field notes are then compiled in a systematic way into the final Record which is presented to the Church as a bound book.  Other copies are made - for the Diocese (usually stored in the County Record Office), the Church Buildings Council in Westminster, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Church Recording was started in 1973 when the V & A had held an exhibition of Church artefacts and became concerned that many churches had no idea what valuable and historic items they owned.  So NADFAS, as The Arts Society was then, was asked to organise the documenting of the contents of churches to a national format and standard.

To date, over 2000 churches have been recorded throughout the UK, including 87 churches in Suffolk of which 32 as well as St Edmundsbury Cathedral have been recorded by volunteering members of West Suffolk and Bury St Edmunds Church Recorders’ Group, a joint enterprise generously sponsored by the West Suffolk and the Bury St Edmunds Societies.

No previous knowledge is required as training is available, but curiosity and an interest in learning and discovering are necessary!  It is a sociable activity too, being part of a team.  We work in nine sections covering memorials, metalwork, stonework, woodwork, textiles, paintings etc., library, windows and miscellaneous.

We are always delighted to welcome anyone interested in what we do and hope they might join the Group.

Church Recording is once again to be promoted nationally as a volunteering activity of The Arts Society.  

Members are encouraged to enquire - contact Sue Medcalf, WS&BStE Group Leader  sue.medcalf@hotmail.com

Picture: Recording a Window