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On the evening of 8 November some 20 architects and surveyors - who between them care for 80% of the four hundred plus church buildings in the diocese – gathered at the Diocesan Office for a seminar on the Vision for Action for Church Buildings.
The Archdeacon of St Albans presented the diocese’s Vision for Action in general terms and the DAC Chairman Christopher Green focused on the Vision for Action for Church Buildings and the seminar’s theme of Adapting Church Buildings for Additional Uses.
Victor Farrar gave an insight into the obstacles he overcame to bring to fruition the Hexton project for which he was the architect. Further perspectives on the same scheme and general policy guidance on adapting churches were provided by representatives of English Heritage and the Council for the Care of Churches.
DAC members and consultants provided input on particular aspects of the work of church architects and surveyors and looked particularly at the implications of keeping buildings open for longer.
There were opportunities for informal discussion and exchange of experience over supper and more formally during the seminar and feedback about the event was very positive.
Overall, the message of the evening was that whilst there are many interests involved in caring for churches – worshippers, local, public, conservation, mission – the aim of all is to ensure that church buildings are conserved and used to the fullest as places of witness in their communities.