Church buildings during COVID-19

Pelsall, St Michael and All Angels, in Walsall Archdeaconry: socially-distanced seating in the nave for individual private prayer (June 2020). "We have aspired to get the balance right between providing spiritual comfort and inspiring confidence to accept the change" (Revd Alison Morris)

A related gallery of images shows how other churches in the diocese have reorganised seating and made adjustments for public worship

Latest updates

Please see the Coronavirus Info page on this website for the latest national and diocesan announcements on the safe use of churches, further to which specific guidance on church buildings follows below.

Current guidance

Regularly updated guidance on church buildings during COVID-19 is available on the national Church of England website and is linked to below. Please check you have the most up-to-date versions of guidance, for which a new version may have been published.

Permissions for temporary works

• Permissions for temporary works in churches (installation of measures for social distancing and hygiene, movement of pews, etc.)

The Chancellor of the Diocese of Lichfield has published (2nd July 2020) an Additional Matters Order, which allows for the installation of internet access equipment and wall-mounted hand sanitiser dispensers without a faculty (subject to conditions).

Additional Matter permission (granted by the Archdeacon) is applied for through an online application via the Online Faculty System (OFS), described as an 'Additional Diocesan matter' at the bottom of the List B selection screen.

Please note: The DAC officers and Archdeacons can provide further advice on the process of seeking such permission.

COVID-19 vaccination centres

• Churches and halls as vaccination centres

Building works and contractors

• Opening church buildings for works to the building and interior (including quinquennial inspections)

A specific risk assessment should be completed by the parish before contractors access a church building:

• Risk assessment for contractors and construction workers (editable template)

Public access

• Opening church buildings to the public (including ventilation and heating)
• Heating church buildings during COVID-19 (including ventilation)
• Safer churches: helping public places to reopen safely (in partnership with the Church of England)
• Posters, floor stickers and banners for use in church buildings (printable)
• NHS Test and Trace and church buildings (including mobile app and QR codes)

A specific risk assessment should be completed by the parish before public access to a church building:

• Risk assessment for opening church buildings to the public (editable template)

Cleaning

• Keeping church buildings clean during COVID-19

Please note: A range of hygiene and cleaning supplies, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE), is available to purchase through the Parish Buying website.

Churchyards

• Guidance on churchyards during COVID-19

Current procedures

DAC and adviser site visits

Site visits to church buildings and churchyards conducted by Lichfield DAC members and advisers can resume from 12th April 2021, subject to individual requirements and local situations, and only in accordance with the following diocesan policy and procedure:

• DAC and adviser site visits during COVID-19

Please note: Site visits by the DAC Lighting & Electrical Adviser are not currently being undertaken.

Getting help…

For further information or advice, please contact:

Giles Standing, DAC Secretary
01543 622540 giles.standing@lichfield.anglican.org