Locking churches

If at all possible your church should be left open during the day for those who wish to pray, or those who wish to find a place for quiet contemplation. It should also be open for tourists and other visitors with an interest in historic buildings. They may find it very disappointing when a church is locked, particularly if they have travelled some way. The presence of legitimate visitors will also help deter those with a criminal intent.

It is not the policy of Ecclesiastical Insurance to ask for churches to be kept locked during the day. There may be some cases where you have suffered repeated vandalism, theft or arson attacks where this is the only option and occasionally we may only be able to continue to provide cover if the church is kept locked. Hopefully, however, by following these guidelines it should be possible for the church to remain open for the use and enjoyment of all.

Whilst the church should, if possible, be left open during the day it should be locked during the hours of darkness other than for services or unless someone is present.

If you can, try to have someone on duty in the church at all times by having a rota of church sitters, or organise cleaning, grass cutting and other routine activities so that there is someone in the church or churchyard for as much of the time as possible. However, it is important to remember that any one person left on their own in the church could be at risk, therefore a means of communication such as a mobile phone should be available. Ask persons living nearby to keep an eye out for anything suspicious happening around the church. This may be best organised as part of a churchwatch scheme.

Lock away as many valuable and portable items as you can. All silver items should be kept in a good quality safe. If possible, keep brass and pewter items in the safe as well. If there isn’t enough room in the safe, then lock them away in a secure area such as the vestry.

Small valuable ornaments and items of furniture should also be locked away in a vestry, cupboard or safe when not in use. Coffin stools, chests and items which could be used in a domestic setting, are particularly vulnerable. If items cannot be locked away, consider chaining them to the floor or wall. This may not deter a determined thief, but may be sufficient to prevent more casual theft.

Helpful hint

If you feel your church should normally be kept locked, you may wish to consider making the key available to visitors. You could ask a local shop, Post Office or garage to safeguard the keys and take details of those visitors who wish to use them. Information about where to obtain the keys can be displayed in the porch area or on the church noticeboard.

Useful websites

For more information about the national churchwatch scheme, please visit www.nationalchurchwatch.com.