We are refreshing our Conservation Committees and are looking for experts in the history, conservation and architecture of church interiors to help us:
• give advice on conservation proposals from churches and cathedrals;
• provide grants to churches for conservation of their historic interiors and churchyard memorials and monuments;
• formulate national policies and guidance on conservation, use and sustainability of our incredible heritage.
About the role
The Cathedral and Church Buildings Department of the Church of England would like to hear from people with the time and skills to serve on one of its voluntary expert committees.
The Church Buildings Council is responsible for enabling our church buildings to serve their congregations and communities by being relevant and sustainable. Its conservation committees advise on the care and conservation of stained glass, sculpture, textiles, books and manuscripts, timberwork, metalwork, paintings, clocks, bells and organs. There are currently spaces available on its Stained Glass and Sculpture and Furnishings committees.
We would currently like to hear from people with the time and knowledge to serve on our specialist committees in the following areas:
• Stained Glass
• Sculpture and Furnishings (specifically stone, metalwork and books)
Further details on the roles and the committees are available here.
About you
There is no requirement to be a Christian, but you must be in sympathy with the mission of the Church.
You must have an understanding that our heritage is usually still in use in its original context and for the original purpose for which it was constructed. This presents different challenges and opportunities to items that are no longer in use or in their original context.
Beyond scholarly and/or practical expertise, we are looking for applicants who will bring imagination, insight, and new and diverse perspectives to bear on the significance of Church of England churches and cathedrals and the challenges they face.
We are strongly committed to increasing the diversity of our committees. By diversity, we mean we want more skilled, experienced people from the heritage sector who are also women; people of the global majority heritage; LGBTQIA+; with disabilities; and from all faith and social backgrounds. We hope that our committees will offer diverse perspectives too, by mixing conservation and heritage professionals, academics, and practical specialists.
We believe that removing barriers to diversity and inclusion is a fundamental part of our becoming a “simpler, humbler, bolder” Anglican Church, as part of our Vision and Strategy for the next decade. In our committees we hope to achieve more robust and informed decision making, drawing upon more diverse voices drawn from all the people and communities the Church serves. We also hope to make a small contribution to the career journeys of a more diverse range of people, so everyone can reach their full potential.
How to apply
Further details on the roles and the committees are available here. To express your interest, please send a CV and covering letter to [email protected] by Thursday 12 November, 5pm. In the week of 16 November, a shortlist of applicants will be asked to attend informal online interviews that will take place the week of 23 November 2026.