Property
A primary tool for the mission of many local churches is its premises
In the Mersey Synod, most local congregations meet in buildings which are formally owned by a Trust (the URC Mersey Province Trust Ltd) but are in the day-to-day care of the local congregation.
Mersey Synod churches are fortunate in having a number of modern or recently refurbished church buildings.
The Manse Scheme
Most Manses are in this scheme, which means that the Synod has assumed responsibility for building insurance and maintenance costs above a threshold of £500 a year. The scheme provides some flexibility in the allocation of new ministers to manses and an improved uniform standard of accommodation. There is a Synod buildings survey scheme providing professional inspection of both churches and manses every five years and this is administered by Mersey Synod.
Title and Funds
Title to almost all buildings is vested in the ‘United Reformed Church (Mersey Province Trust) Ltd’ who also administer some separate Trust Funds. A few buildings have other trustees. The income from the sale of redundant buildings, together with rental income from rented manses, is transferred to the Synod and allocated to the Church Extension and Development Fund, the Manse Scheme and the General Fund. Grants are then paid from the Church Extension & Development Fund for building and mission projects throughout the synod area.
Resources
We have to be accountable for looking after and developing our churches, keeping them fit for purpose in the 21st Century.
Building Works
There are also legal requirements with which we have to comply. Churches should record all work undertaken on the church buildings (internally and externally) in a buildings log book.
Building Works in your church RESOURCES 1
Building Works in your church RESOURCES 2 A5
Repairs to a Manse Occupied by a Minister
The Church Log Book, a resource for churches to create a record of all alterations, additions, removals or repairs to fabric, fixtures and fittings of the church and curtilage or churchyard.
Helping Ministers and Their Families Feel Safe and Comfortable In Their Manses: PDF : WORD
Church Closures
We understand a congregation might consider it time to cease to meet in your current church building for various reasons, or indeed to consider closing as a church completely. Very early on in your church discussions it could be of great help for the local church to share their concerns with the Synod Pastoral Support Committee and undertake the Being Church review with the congregation. Once a congregation does set its mind on closure, there are a number of things to bear in mind in order to tie up all the loose ends. Below are documents to support legal requirements and procedural advice.
CLOSING A CHURCH - QUICK CHECK LIST - SOME SUGGESTIONS
Mersey Synod Property Officer
Mike Rushton is the URC Mersey's Property Officer, here to help our churches with any property issues, whether it’s building maintenance, improvements, extensions or repairs. Mike can lead in the appointment of building professionals, building contracts and offer advice in buildings and public liability insurance cover. He is also the go-to person for understanding the Ecclesiastical Exemption for building work to Listed Buildings.
If you have any property concerns or queries, including church closures,please get in touch.
07400 530074