Archdeacons' Visitations
Every year, the Archdeacons’ Visitations take place. These are formal church services, during which Churchwardens across each Archdeaconry are admitted. They make a formal declaration and the Archdeacons offer prayer and encouragement. The admission to office can be done by the incumbent or another ordained minister as appropriate.
Churchwardens should take their Declaration Form to the visitation service they attend.
Churchwarden's declaration | DOCX
Parochial Visitations
The Rural Dean on behalf of the Archdeacon carries out a visitation to every parish (and usually to all the church buildings within the parish) on a three-yearly cycle. (This is not the same as the Archdeacon’s Annual Visitation at which Churchwardens are admitted see above).
The purpose of the visitation is to check that the parish is complying with the requirements of various Measures; in particular, the Inspection of Churches Measures 1955, the Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978 and the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991.
Visitations will entail the issue by the Archdeacons' Office of a Questionnaire. The Rural Dean will require to see and inspect all parochial registers and records held in the parish, the inventory and log book, the minute and account books, insurance policies, the PCC’s policies on child protection, employees’ contracts, and insurance policies; to review progress on quinquennial works; and to inspect the storage of valuables and to inspect the buildings and curtilage, and security and safety. A report by the Rural Dean will be made to the Archdeacon after each visitation has been completed.
Archdeacon Visitation dates 2025
All start at 7.30pm
Ipswich – 5 August – venue TBC, at 7.30pm
Suffolk – 7 August – St Luke's Church, Rigbourne Hill, Beccles NR34 9JQ at 7.30pm
Sudbury – 11 August – Cockfield Village Hall, Church Lane, IP30 0LA at 7.00pm
Parochial Visitations will be going ahead later this year and Rural Deans will be in contact with the incumbent to arrange as and when they are due.
Parochial Visitation Form | PDF
Parochial Visitation Form | DOCX