The Diocese of Winchester’s new Chancellor, Revd Mark Ruffell, has spent a day visiting churches across the northern half of the diocese to hear first-hand about the opportunities, challenges and aspirations facing parishes as they care for and seek to develop and sustain their church buildings.
Joined by Archdeacon Simon Butler, members of the diocesan Church Buildings Team and Diocesan Registrar, Mark’s ‘Chancellor’s Road Trip’ took him to three churches at very different stages of change and development.
The day included visits to Wootton St Lawrence, St Paul’s Winchester, and St Mary Magdalene West Tisted, offering a snapshot of the wide variety of buildings and projects taking place across the diocese.
For many, the role of Chancellor can seem something of a mystery. The Chancellor is responsible for determining faculty applications across, the Church of England’s legal process for making changes to church buildings. From major reordering projects and new facilities to repairs and maintenance work, the faculty system helps ensure that churches can continue serving their communities while safeguarding their historic and architectural significance.
Recently appointed as Chancellor of the Diocese of Winchester, Mark brings a unique perspective to the role. Alongside his work as a barrister specialising in criminal, regulatory and disciplinary law, he is ordained and was a churchwarden for 22 years.
Reflecting on his appointment, Mark said, “I have been a Deputy Chancellor since around 2008 and I am also the Chancellor of the Diocese of Gloucester. I love the role and I have seen the faculty this process from both sides of the fence from petitioner and now as the person who determines petitions.”
Mark’s past experience in differing roles enables him to understand both the practical realities faced by churches and the responsibilities involved in making decisions that affect our wonderful buildings.
The three church visits demonstrated that every parish’s journey is different.
At St Lawrence, Wootton St Lawrence, conversations focused on proposals that are currently making their way through the faculty process. At St Mary Magdalene, West Tisted, discussions centred on the maintenance needs of the church as they look ahead. Meanwhile, St Paul’s, Winchester, provided an example of a church that has already come through a significant reordering project, showcasing the impact that thoughtful development can have on mission and ministry.
Far from being a simple exercise, the day was highly collaborative in nature. Parishes were able to share their ambitions, ask questions and discuss frustrations openly with the whole team from the diocese.
The visits also provided an opportunity for sharing knowledge and experience, allowing churches to explore ideas at an early stage and whilst drawing on the expertise of the team and their insights from previous projects.
Mark explained that one of the most important aspects of his role is balancing the stewardship of historic buildings with the needs of today’s worshipping communities.
He said, “We are custodians of some wonderful historic buildings, many of them Grade I and Grade II listed churches. Part of my role is helping to balance preserving these buildings for future generations with the missional needs that occur today. We love warmer, brighter and more flexible churches. My role is to weigh those needs carefully, taking advice from the Diocesan Advisory Committee and from historical societies and specialists who are experts in their field.”
Throughout the day, conversations repeatedly returned to the mission of the Church and how buildings can best support ministry, outreach and community life. The Diocese’s Church Buildings Team and DAC representatives emphasised their commitment to listening to parishes, recognising the challenges they face and encouraging them as they explore future plans.
Mark also reflected on the diversity that exists across the Church of England and the importance of ensuring that church buildings continue to support different expressions of worship and ministry: “I appreciate and respect the breadth within the Church of England. You can have Book of Common Prayer services and informal worship, within the same church. It is not a one-size-fits-all model. Part of my role is to encourage keeping that breadth.”
The Road Trip provided an opportunity not only for Chancellor Mark to learn more about the churches and communities he now serves, but also for parishes to engage directly with those involved in supporting our church buildings across the diocese. A second road trip to churches in the south is planned for later this year.
If you would like more information on the faculty process or how the Church Buildings Team can support you and your parish, please get in touch via – dac@winchesterdiocese.org.
