Church Recorders are Arts Society volunteers who make records of the contents of our national churches, thereby promoting the recognition and preservation of the rich artistic heritage to be found in places of worship of all religions. A church record contains descriptions of everything that is found within the church. This comprises the furniture, furnishings and internal fabric, including memorials, metalwork, stonework, woodwork, textiles, paintings, library and windows.
The items are described in detail and their history researched. All the material is then compiled into a book illustrated with photographs and drawings. This is presented to the church and copies are sent to the diocese, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Churches Trust and the National Record of Monuments.
The CRS were also able to celebrate 50 years of Church Recording with some 2040 churches having been recorded. Of course, technology has changed dramatically during this time and the records reflect that, not only in their presentation but in their content, both photographic and historical. There is a much greater emphasis now on the history of individual items and family history.
A booklet entitled '50 Treasures in 50 Churches' - Highlights from Fifty Churches in Fifty Years of Church Recording (1974-1924) has been published in recognition. The cost is £5 from enquiries@churchrecordingsociety.org.uk
The Woodbridge and South East Suffolk Church Recorders Group presented the final copy of St Mary's, Woodbridge, Church Record in March 2024.
Trails of Discovery (for children age 8-10)
There are no on-going Trails of Discovery at present. Those for St Mary's Church in Woodbridge and St Andrews in Melton can be found at https://theartssocietywoodbridge.org.uk/OtherActivities/Trails.aspx
To join us there is no need for experience nor specific knowledge but any particular interest is always useful.
The website at www.churchrecordingsociety.org.uk tells you a lot more about us. To contact us use info@theartssocietywoodbridge.org.uk