Church Buildings Officers

Contact the Church Buildings Officers

The Church Buildings Officers (diocesan staff) advise parishes on the care and development of their church buildings and churchyards, in the context of the diocesan vision and the associated diocesan strategy for 2025–30, 'Seeking the Kingdom'.

The DAC Officers additionally provide administrative and casework support to the Lichfield Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC).

The Church Buildings Officers comprise four members of staff (full time and part time), each with specific areas of work responsibility:

• DAC Officers
  • Giles Standing, DAC Secretary
  • Felicity McWilliams, DAC Casework Officer
• Support Officers
  • Fiona North, Project Support and Church Buildings Officer
  • Christine Rier, Church Buildings Support Officer

Before contacting the Church Buildings Officers (below), you may find the answer to your enquiry under frequently asked questions (FAQs).

DAC Officers (permissions/casework enquiries)

Giles Standing

DAC Secretary

Contact days: Monday–Friday

Giles is a statutory officer of the Lichfield Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), appointed by the Diocesan Bishop, and leads the Church Buildings team. He can advise parishes on how to obtain the necessary permissions for works to their churches and churchyards, and online applications via the Online Faculty System (OFS).

Giles is the first point of contact and case officer for:

• 'major' faculty applications, processed through DAC meetings
• quinquennial inspections (QIs)
• DAC site visits (i.e. Committee, but not DAC adviser, site visits)
• operation of the DAC

Contact should be made with Giles direct on these matters.

Email: giles.standing@lichfield.anglican.org
Phone: 01543 221152

Please note: There is a separate contact procedure for emergency works (interim faculty) to church buildings and churchyards

Felicity McWilliams

DAC Casework Officer

Contact days: Monday–Friday

Felicity assists the DAC Secretary in the statutory work of the Lichfield Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). She can specifically advise parishes on delegated authority faculty applications, and List B and Additional Matter applications, via the Online Faculty System (OFS).

Felicity is the first point of contact and case officer for:

• 'minor' faculty applications, processed under delegated authority
• List B and Additional Matter applications
• DAC adviser site visits (but not DAC, i.e. Committee, site visits)

Contact should be made with Felicity direct on these matters.

Email: felicity.mcwilliams@lichfield.anglican.org
Phone: 01543 221106

Please note: There is a separate contact procedure for emergency works (interim faculty) to church buildings and churchyards

Existing faculty or closed church?

• Please contact the Diocesan Registry Clerks, at the Diocesan Registry, for advice on interim faculties, faculties which have already been granted, or any related legal matter
• Please contact the Diocesan Pastoral Officer, Clare Beavon, with enquiries about closed and closing church buildings

Support Officers (funding/support enquiries)

Fiona North

Project Support and Church Buildings Officer

Contact days: Monday–Thursday

Fiona offers support to parishes with projects, including identifying suitable funding streams, project planning, and ensuring that projects are sustainable. She works alongside and complements the functions of the DAC Officers (above).

Fiona is the first point of contact for:

• project planning advice
• funding and grants enquiries (including for net zero carbon 2030)

Contact should be made with Fiona direct on these matters.

Email: fiona.north@lichfield.anglican.org
Phone: 01543 306058 / 07539 119937

Christine Rier

Church Buildings Support Officer (CBSO)

Contact days: Monday–Friday

Christine is a Church Buildings Support Officer (CBSO), part of the national Church of England Buildings for Mission initiative. Enhancing direct support for churches, Christine is assigned to support individual churches with the management of their church buildings, their repairs and maintenance projects, and their community engagement. She also helps assist and signpost initial enquiries to the Church Buildings team.

Christine is the first point of contact if:

• your church is in vacancy and you would like support regarding church building matters
• your church building is on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register or if you think your church should be on the Heritage at Risk Register
• you would like to know more about our Churchwarden Café (church officer training)

Contact should be made with Christine direct on these matters.

Email: christine.rier@lichfield.anglican.org
Phone: 01543 222416 / 07535 117686