The Church of England logoFaithWorshipLife eventsAbout the Church
Information Contact us
Media Centre Home
Media

New Chairman for Cathedrals Fabric Commission

8 July 2005

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has appointed the Right Honourable Frank Field, MP, PC, as Chairman of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.

Frank Field is Member of Parliament for Birkenhead and Chairman since July 2001 of the Churches Conservation Trust, the national body funded by both the Church of England and Government that is responsible for 333 architecturally and historically outstanding churches which are no longer in parish use.  Commenting on his new appointment to chair the Cathedrals’ Fabric Commission for England, he said

“I am delighted to be taking up this appointment at a time when cathedrals are playing an increasingly important part in the life of our society. The work of the Commission helps cathedrals embrace a growing number of new roles without losing their historic integrity or their primacy as sacred places and great centres of worship.”

Mr Field takes the place of Professor Averil Cameron, CBE, Warden of Keble College Oxford, who held the post from 1999 until June 2005.

The Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, established in 1991, is the national statutory body which oversees the Church of England’s system of controls over works to cathedrals, their precincts, and the objects within them, under the Care of Cathedrals Measure 1990.  It determines certain categories of application, and gives advice to cathedrals, Fabric Advisory Committees, and others on both on individual applications and generally on the care and conservation of cathedrals. In all its work, it seeks to balance the care and conservation of the cathedral buildings with the role of the cathedral as the seat of the bishop and a centre of worship and mission.

The Chairman is appointed by the Archbishops after consultation with the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport.