Seeing things inside a church with new eyes. Learning to appreciate fine art and craft. Discovering the fascinating social and community history which these things manifest and the histories and stories of those represented by them. Then, being part of a team to identify, research, describe and photograph all the significant things there are in the church, to produce a Church Record.

Over 50 years ago, the V&A Museum confirmed that volunteer groups of The Arts Society members were capable of producing Church Records as a national archive of the treasures in our churches. The essential training and sources of reference are provided. More than 2,000 churches have been recorded. Be part of The Arts Society’s most enduring legacy, kept permanently both nationally and locally.

Volunteers become engrossed in the research and discovery. They enjoy the company of like-minded people, happily socialising with them. Photographers too. They enjoy the gratitude of the churches recorded and the users of Church Records. These are national reference books.