Running the Church during the Vacancy

The churchwardens with the PCC are responsible for maintaining the life of the church during the vacancy.

Church Services. The churchwardens and the Rural Dean arrange for visiting clergy to conduct Sunday services, baptisms, weddings and funerals and pastoral visits as necessary. Churchwardens should decide amongst themselves who is to be responsible for locking and unlocking the church and preparing it for services.
Collecting fees. The churchwardens should collect all fees for marriages, baptisms, funerals, erection of monuments and searches in registers. The annual fees are contained in a notice which is normally fixed to the church notice board.
Payment for church services. Visiting clergy are entitled to be reimbursed their travelling expenses. There is a diocesan rate for services.
PCC meetings and the annual parochial church meeting. These should continue as before.
Care of the vicarage. Churchwardens should keep an eye on the vicarage if it is vacant. Minor repairs should be borne by the PCC and major repairs should be reported to Diocesan House. Sometimes, the Diocese will let the vicarage during a vacancy.
Confidential documents. The Rural Dean will normally take possession of any confidential documents relating to the parish or parishioners.
Weddings, banns and baptisms. Put up a notice on the main notice board saying when and where arrangements can be made for weddings, banns and baptisms.
Funerals. Contact the local undertakers and tell them who to contact.
Church registers.These should be maintained.The priest taking each service should sign the service register.

Please click on any of the following links below for further information:

Diocesan Information