CHURCH RECORDING

Church Recording is a specialised branch of Heritage Volunteering. In 2009, no less than 63 new Records were completed.

That we are surrounded by examples of the Decorative and Fine Arts is a statement of the obvious but that there are collections of such examples in the Region's Churches may not be quite so obvious. Look at the interior of any Church and we are immediately aware that we are surrounded by interesting artefacts - memorials, metalwork, stonework, woodwork, textiles, paintings, books (not only Bibles!), windows with stained glass or otherwise, clocks, musical instruments and so forth. All of these are of interest form various points of view: how did they arrive at the Church? Who made them and how? Who presented them and was it memory of someone, if so whom. Research is often called for which can lead in many and varied directions. As populations drift from city centres, churches can become 'surplus to requirements'. It is very important that the treasures remaining in unused church buildings should be precisely recorded. These may be movable or part of the fabric.

Members of the Society who are interested in these matters (there is, incidentally no need to be a churchgoer) can join a group of Church Recorders engaged in making a comprehensive record of the furnishings and some of the fabric in a Church with photographs and/or drawings and to verify, when possible, the history of these furnishings. The results of this work are embodied in a bound volume - The Church Record - which is presented to the Church.

GDFAS members are currently working on a Recording programme at the Church at Nazareth House in Aberdeen. You are welcome to join in - contact any committee member or use the Feedback form at the top of the "Join GDFAS." page.

or email

feedback@grampiandfas.org.uk