The office of Churchwarden is described by a previous holder of this office.

The Office

The office of churchwarden has been legally recognised since the 13th C and in early days the churchwardens transacted all parish business during their year of office. They were both guardians of the parochial morals and trustees of the church's goods. All the moveable furniture and ornaments of the church are still in the legal ownership of the churchwardens and we have to report on their condition at the annual church meeting.

Practical responsibilities

Under modern law the care, maintenance, preservation and insurance of the fabric of the church is the responsibility of the PCC (Parochial Church Council) and not of the churchwardens but we still have to ensure that the fabric of the church is regularly inspected. The freehold of the church and churchyard is normally vested in the incumbent but possession of both is vested in the incumbent and church-wardens jointly. The main practical consequence of this is that if any person claims to enter the church for a purpose other than attending a service then the incumbent and churchwardens together have the right to prevent such entry.

Order, order!

It is the duty of the churchwardens to maintain order in the church and churchyard especially during services and we may remove persons who disturb the performance of a service. Churchwardens have the power to arrest troublemakers although in this day and age I think that we would call on the local police for help when necessary.

Officers of the Bishop

Churchwardens are entrusted, as officers of the bishop, with control of the seating in the church in the interests of good order. We cannot exclude an orderly person on the grounds that the church is full if that person can stand in a part of the church without interfering with the conduct of the service. Formerly the churchwardens were entrusted with the disposal of alms given at communion services and you will have seen that your two wardens still receive the alms at those services and take them to the altar. Disposal is now entrusted to the Incumbent and PCC.

As officers of the bishop we have to report to him once a year (normally we see the archdeacon as his deputy) on the state of affairs at the Priory and to report anything that may be amiss. Last year Dr Tetley asked us to identify things that were a cause for rejoicing instead and that seemed a much more positive approach.

Five year plan-perhaps!

When I first had anything to do with PCC's there were vicar's and people's wardens and I still occasionally wonder which of the two descriptions would now fit me. Nowadays the distinction has largely disappeared although there is provision for the difference even today where the incumbent and laity cannot agree on the choice of wardens. Some of our past churchwardens have served for long periods, notably George Hinds and John Smyth throughout the 1950's and Tony Russell for 9 years and Percy Walton for 11 years more recently. Since 1986 the Priory has adopted a 5-year maximum as the guideline. Amusingly the C of E regulations now state that 6 years should be the maximum unless the parish decides otherwise which seems to me like no regulation at all!

I hope you have found this interesting reading but nowadays the role is one of leadership and organisation, and when it comes down to it we cannot function without the wholehearted support and encouragement of the congregation. I would like to conclude by saying on behalf of both Ann Oldfield (my colleague at the time) that it is a privilege to serve the Priory in this capacity and to thank all of you, especially the sidesmen and deputies for the help and support you have given us.

Michael Martin