Churchwardens are the Bishop’s lay officers responsible directly to her for the life and work of the church in the parish. Responsibilities laid upon them from time to time by the Bishop, or by the Archdeacon and the Area Dean, include ensuring the maintenance of the building, arranging for services to be taken in an interregnum and acting as ex-officio members of the PCC.
The appointment of Churchwardens is governed by the Churchwardens Measure 2001.
Please browse the links on the right hand side of this page to find documents designed to help and support churchwardens. There is a new Churchwarden Handbook coming soon to replace these documents - watch this space.
Training for New Churchwardens
Upcoming training sessions for new churchwardens will include opportunities to network and socialise with one another on the following dates:
- Canterbury Archdeaconry - 4 July from 3-5pm (afternoon tea included) at St Paul's church hall, Canterbury - contact CHemington@diocant.org
- Maidstone Archdeaconry - 18 July from 6-8pm at the Archdeaconry - contact Samantha.Mann@archdeacmaid.org
- Ashford Archdeaconry – 20 July from 3-5pm (afternoon tea included) at Charing Barn, Charing – contact Louise.Mills@archdeacashford.org
All churchwardens are warmly invited to attend the date that suits them best and are not restricted to the archdeaconry in which they serve.
The Archdeacons' Visitations in 2023
The services for the Archdeacons’ Visitations in June 2023 have now been agreed and we are looking forward to seeing you there. Details are as below.
Churchwardens, sides-people and others from the three archdeaconries are invited to attend these services for prayer, worship and the formal admission of Churchwardens. Anyone who cannot attend their specific archdeaconry date is welcome to attend the alternative dates. Do make the dates widely known.
In order to be admitted to office for the coming year, churchwardens must attend one of these services. If, for exceptional reasons, you are unable to attend any of the Visitation services, please contact your Archdeacon’s office so that alternative arrangements can be made for you to be sworn in legally and take up office.
To save time and congestion at the church entrance for each occasion, churchwardens can complete this form in advance and bring it to the service at which they are to be admitted. Alternatively, a registration form will be available at each event for completion.
All services will be held at 7.30pm.
No booking is required to attend these services.
Canterbury Archdeaconry
Wednesday 14 June, 7:30pm – Canterbury Cathedral with Archdeacon Will
Including the deaneries of:
- Canterbury
- East Bridge
- Reculver
- Stour Valley (previously West Bridge)
- Thanet
Maidstone Archdeaconry
Thursday 15 June, 7:30pm – St Mary, Eastling with Archdeacon Andrew
Including the deaneries of:
- Maidstone
- North Down
- Ospringe
- Sittingbourne
- Weald
Ashford Archdeaconry
Tuesday 20 June, 7:30pm – Canterbury Cathedral with Archdeacon Darren
Including the deaneries of:
- Ashford
- Elham
- Dover
- Sandwich
- Romney & Tenterden
Ashford and Maidstone Archdeaconries
Thursday 22 June, 7:30pm – St Nicholas, Sandhurst with Archdeacon Andrew and Archdeacon Darren
Including the deaneries of:
- Ashford
- Elham
- Dover
- Sandwich
- Romney & Tenterden
- North Downs
- Ospringe
- Sittingbourne
- Weald
Key documents
- Archdeacons' Visitation News
- You can order the 2024 Churchwardens Yearbook or the 2023 copy at a reduced price here.
- Risk Management Guides for Churches - from Ecclesiastical Insurance
- Church Records and Archives - guidance for incumbents and churchwardens
- Churchwardens Handbook
Maintenance Booker
Maintenance Booker is a website that gives churches a straightforward way of arranging for companies with the right experience and qualifications to carry out many routine repairs and inspections and help keep the building in good order before small issues become larger problems. Using this website, churches can book gutter clearance and repairs, lightning protection inspection, tree surveys and maintenance as well as asbestos surveys and removal. More services will be added as time goes on, such as stonework and lime mortaring, bat surveys, and grounds and graveyard maintenance.
Resources from past training sessions
2019: Changed Lives – Serving Together in our local communities
- Locally grown ministry – helping it grow handout
- Growing Faith - reaching children and young people were they are
- Telling your story better
- Resourcing the Frontline – effective parish admin especially in a vacancy
- Staying spiritually healthy in the midst of it all
- Changed Churches, Changing Lives - DAC handout
- Encouraging generosity in your church
- Giving by mobile phone
- Missional Learning Communities - outline
- Missional Learning Communities - a deeper look