Church Recording involved making a record of the contents of the church – windows, memorials, woodwork, stonework, textiles etc. The record was an accurate, careful and well researched record of the contents at that time, it was not a historical study. The group recorded only what it saw and did not make artistic or quality judgments. 

 Primarily, the record was for the Church, although copies were given to Diocesan Archives and the libraries of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Council for the Care of Churches and The Arts Society.

Since church recording began in 1971 nearly 1300 records have been completed across the country.

Our Society had an active and enthusiastic group who met at the church in the morning of the last Thursday of each month. The number of recorders varied but there were usually a minimum of 10 people. There were no fixed timescales but on average a record took more than 2 years to complete. The group had completed records for 8 churches;

1.   St. Margaret's          -      Draycott Le Moors

2.   St.  Mary's                -     Swynnerton

3.   St. John the Baptist  -     Stowe by Chartley

4.   St. Margaret's           -     Betley

5.   All Saints'                  -     Madeley

6.   St. Peter's                 -     Caverswall

7.   St. Peter's                 -     Broughton

8.   St.Edward the Confessor  - Cheddleton

The last project was based at the church of St. Edward The Confessor at Cheddleton and  the record was completed at the end of 2021.

The future.

The Arts Society will not continue funding this activity centrally from 2021. Also the  V&A has reported that there have been only a minimal number of requests for access to existing records and consider that the production of further reports will not be beneficial.  In the light of these reports it may be that there is no viable future for Church Recording in our Society.

However if any members are interested in forming a new group then advice is available from experienced members of the previous group.

For more detailed information go to the ...' Church Recording Society' website.          Website:  www.churchrecordingsociety.org.uk

Mark Mills who is a member of our Society is involved with the Church Recording Society, if you are interested in gaining information or joining the Society, please email the Arts Society North Staffordshire and your details will be passed onto Mark.

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