申请教会许可（Faculty）
如何根据教会法律申请修改教堂的许可。
概述
If you want to make changes to a Church of England church building, its contents, or churchyard — from installing a new heating system to removing pews, adding a memorial, or reordering the interior — you generally need a faculty (a legal permission) from the consistory court of the diocese. The faculty jurisdiction is governed by the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018. Minor works may fall under List A (no permission needed) or List B (archdeacon's permission only). More significant works require a full faculty petition to the consistory court, presided over by the diocesan chancellor.
谁可以使用此程序
- You are the incumbent (vicar/rector), churchwarden, or PCC of a Church of England parish
- The proposed works affect the church building, its contents, or the churchyard
- The works do not fall within List A (no permission required) or List B (archdeacon only)
- You have the support of the PCC (evidenced by a PCC resolution)
逐步流程
Check Whether a Faculty Is Needed
Consult the Lists A and B in the Faculty Jurisdiction (Permitted Works, etc.) Rules 2022. List A covers minor works that can be done without any permission (e.g., like-for-like repairs, routine maintenance). List B covers works that need written approval from the archdeacon but not a full faculty (e.g., installing notice boards, minor electrical work). If your work is not on either list, you need a faculty.
- The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) can advise whether a faculty is needed
- When in doubt, ask — doing works without a faculty is an ecclesiastical offence
- Even List B works need written archdeacon approval before starting
Consult the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)
Before applying for a faculty, consult the DAC. The DAC is a committee of experts (architects, historians, liturgists) who advise on all matters affecting churches. Submit your proposals with plans, specifications, photographs, and a statement of significance and needs. The DAC will consider the proposals and issue a Notification of Advice (recommending or not recommending the works).
- Early consultation saves time — the DAC may suggest amendments
- A Statement of Significance describes what makes the building special
- A Statement of Needs explains why the works are necessary for the church's mission
Apply for the Faculty Online
Submit your faculty petition through the Online Faculty System (OFS). Include: the PCC resolution, DAC notification, plans and specifications, Statement of Significance and Needs, heritage assessment (for listed buildings), and any consultation responses (e.g., from Historic England, the Church Buildings Council, or amenity societies). The petition will be reviewed by the diocesan registrar.
- The Online Faculty System guides you through the application
- For Grade I or II* listed buildings, the national amenity societies (Victorian Society, SPAB, etc.) will be consulted
- Historic England must be consulted for works to Grade I and II* churches
Public Notice Period
The faculty petition must be publicly displayed in the church for 28 days (the 'public notice period'). This allows parishioners and interested parties to inspect the proposals and lodge objections. If no objections are received and the DAC recommended the works, the chancellor may grant the faculty without a hearing (on the papers).
- Display the notice prominently in the church
- If objections are received, the chancellor will decide whether a hearing is needed
- The Church Buildings Council may also comment on nationally significant proposals
Consistory Court Hearing (If Required)
If objections are received or the proposals are contentious, the chancellor may order a consistory court hearing. This is a formal legal proceeding where the petitioners present their case and objectors can oppose. The chancellor applies the Duffield guidelines (Re St Alkmund, Duffield [2013]), weighing the impact on the building's significance against the benefits for worship and mission. Legal representation may be helpful.
- The Duffield guidelines require balancing heritage significance against mission needs
- The more significant the building (Grade I), the greater the justification needed
- Costs are at the chancellor's discretion — objectors rarely have costs awarded against them
费用
重要警告
Carrying out works without a faculty is an ecclesiastical offence — the chancellor can order removal of unauthorised works at the parish's expense.
For listed churches (most pre-1850 churches are listed), the ecclesiastical exemption from secular listed building consent applies only if the faculty system is used properly.
Trees in churchyards may be subject to Tree Preservation Orders — check with the local authority before felling or lopping.
Memorials and monuments in churchyards also require a faculty unless they fall within the chancellor's general directions.