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FAITH @ WORK
A Day in the Life of John Bailey, Ecclesiastical Architect
I have always been an early bird and am generally in the office
soon after 6.30 a.m. Whilst this might sound insane, it allows
me to catch up on emails, telephone messages, review work
undertaken by my colleagues on projects under my direction
and generally try to get straight before the phone starts ringing.
No two days are the same and my work concentrates on
conserving and repairing historic churches and assisting
congregations to get the most out of their buildings through
re-orderings or extensions. A typical day can see me providing
specification for detailed conservation work, speaking to a
churchwarden or vicar about a problem that has just arisen, or
helping my colleagues. A great deal of time is spent out of the office visiting projects on
site and ensuring they run smoothly and on time or meeting clients and discussing how I
might be able to help them. The great joy is working with buildings, some of which date
from the early 7 th century. This is only one generation after the landing of St Augustine and
their care and future is entrusted to me which, on occasion, is a little frightening and
certainly humbling.
Much of a church architect’s time is essentially pastoral, helping a parish decide what it
is they wish to do, helping raise money or just listen. You cannot charge for any of this and
such work is part of your job and the wider commitment to the church. Many days can go
well into the evenings as, often, parishes wish to meet to discuss projects in the evening
when church members return from work. Arriving home at 10 p.m. is not unknown. You
have to remember that to each congregation their church is the most important you deal
with and so, whether it is Wakefield Cathedral or St James’ Bicknor (where they only hold
six services a year), you have to try to treat them the same.
Some days can be spent at one church undertaking a quinquennial inspection. This
allows you to really get to know the people and building and try to understand it. I will
often just sit for a moment listening to the quiet, and contemplate the generations who
have worshipped for perhaps 1000 years in that place. Many churches really do absorb the
prayers of past generations and God’s presence is tangible.
They often say you have been born a church architect and, certainly, my work is
vocational. It has to be, as you will never be rich financially but the rewards are beyond
money. This is my witness to God. I was never going to be good enough to be a priest, but
I can do buildings. I certainly have no regrets choosing what I do, and my work helps to
ensure that church buildings stand as a witness to God. In time, nobody will remember my
name, but my monument will be as part of the countless number of people who have
ensured our churches still stand.
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