CHURCH RECORDING

A Church Record is a permanent archive of the church’s artefacts at the time of recording, carried out by many societies nationally.

Whilst in some groups, everyone works together, going through the categories one by one, mostly the recorders specialise, in a category to be studied, such as memorials, metalwork, woodwork, stonework, textiles and windows. All the objects within a category are listed and details of each item is recorded. The recorders work with a photographer to provide images that show the important characteristics of each item.

Churches are able to use their Records for promotion, education, grant applications, insurance and similar purposes. They have been very useful in cases of fire, damage and loss.

The Arts Society Saltaire over the years have recorded three churches: Tong Church, United Reform Church in Saltaire and St Chad Church, Bradford.

After a couple of years break we started on a new recording project at St John the Evangelist Church, Baildon. This church dates back to the 1200s and gives plenty of opportunity to get involved in recording a wide range of interesting items and architecture within the church.

We began recording in July 2022 and are now about three quarters of the way through the project. There are ten of us who meet on alternate Thursdays at the church to record the internal fixtures and fittings. If you are interested in joining the group or just want to know what it is all about, please click on 'contact us'.