St Andrew and St Mary , Watton-at-Stone

The Church Record of the Parish Church of St Andrew and St Mary at Watton-at-Stone was presented by Welwyn Garden DFAS Church recorders in September 2010.

Leader of the Group, Joyce Wallis commented: "There were some real challenges in the form of floor memorials hidden under heavy chests, and a narrow winding stairway leading up to the roof which had to be explored in order to record doors!

The recording and photographing of a clock mechanism posed another challenge as it was squeezed in against a wall in the bell chamber and could only be accessed by a narrow metal ladder.

Welwyn Garden DFAS Church Recorders group presenting the Record at Watton-at-Stone

Presenting the Record at the church of St Andrew & St Mary, Watton-at-Stone in September 2010.

There are 14 members in the group, meeting in the church we are recording on Tuesday mornings, working in pairs to complete descriptions of everything from the kneelers to the organ. Research is conducted into the provenance of items and photographs taken.

The completed record is presented to the church with copies going to the V&A art library and the National Monuments Record Centre.

What next?

The group are currently working at the Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels, Waterford which is famous for its collection of Arts and Crafts windows by William Morris & Co - the image is of the prophetess Miriam in a window by Burne-Jones.

To find out more, or to see the church, come to Waterford on a Tuesday morning, but please check first with the Group Leader, Joyce Wallis.

How Does Church Recording Work?

Church Recorders work as part of a team, choosing a single local church to record and then working in pairs on different sections of the church furnishings: memorials, metalwork, stonework, woodwork, textiles, paintings, library, windows and miscellaneous.

Training is given by experienced recorders and help is available from a wide range of experts with whom we share our discoveries.

Who benefits?

  • the church authorities who have a complete furnishing record
  • the police who use our accurate descriptions and photographs to identify retrieved stolen artifacts
    • .
  • Insurance companies who use our Records to identify items
  • Researchers who are producing theses and books on allied subjects

    • Portrayal of St Margaret in the east window
    at St Margaret's, Ridge

    Who are Church Recorders?

    Church Recorders are NADFAS volunteers who make records of the contents of our national churches, thereby promoting the recognition and preservation of the rich artistic heritage to be found in places of worship of all religions. The items are described in detail and their history researched. All the material is then compiled into a book illustrated with photographs and drawings. This is presented to the church and copies are sent to the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Monuments Record Centre, the local County Records Office and the Church Buildings Council.

    Welwyn Garden DFAS Church Recorders

    • Welwyn Garden church recorders have been compiling records of the furnishings of local parish churches since 1983 with a total of 16 churches recorded by the end of 2010.


    • The Record of St Andrew & St Mary, Watton-at-Stone, was presented in September 2010. The group are now working at St Michael & All Angels, Waterford.


    • The Record of St Giles, Codicote was presented on Sunday November 25th 2008, and subsequently St Margaret's, Ridge was recorded


    • In 2000 the Welwyn Garden Church Recorders won an award for the best record compiled in the millenium year - this was the Record of St Mary's, Welwyn. There is reference to this on the website of St Mary's, Welwyn under "memorials"

    Contact for Welwyn Garden DFAS Church Recorders:
    Mrs Joyce Wallis,
    15 Hatherleigh Gardens,
    Potters Bar EN6 5HZ
    tel: 01707 850803
    email: Church Recorders

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