Number of Churchwardens

Number of churchwardens

Number of churchwardens - the rules require that there be two churchwardens in every parish - the only permissible exceptions being:

1. in any parish where there exists two (or more) places of worship which are designated as parish churches - in which case two churchwardens shall be appointed for each parish church (and only for those places of worship which are designated as parish churches) but who shall be wardens of the whole parish;
2. where a long-standing custom to appoint a different number of churchwardens has existed and been preserved since at least 1925. Such custom may be abolished by a meeting of parishioners (see appointment).

Note: The above rules are not varied in those parishes which have introduced district church councils by way of a parish scheme under Church Representation Rule 18, or a bishop's instrument under schedule 3 of the Pastoral Measure, 1983, except that under such provisions formal recognition may be given to deputy churchwardens who may be made members of the PCC but who are not otherwise recognised under any other legislation.