Since 1973 groups of The Arts Society members have been systematically recording the contents of churches and chapels throughout the UK. Besides providing a comprehensive record of a church’s metalwork, stained glass, plate, clocks, textiles etc, recorders have sometimes unearthed previously forgotten or unrecognised ‘treasures’.
A copy of the record is given to the church involved and to certain specific authorities, including the V&A Museum and the National Monuments Record Centre. At times police have found the records invaluable when investigating cases of vandalism and theft.
The Arts Society Dorking Church Recording Group has completed records for nine local churches.
- 1987 St John’s, Wotton
- 1990 St Michael’s, Mickleham
- 1995 St James, Abinger
- 1995 St Michael’s, Betchworth
- 1999 Holy Trinity, Westcott
- 1999 St Mary the Virgin, Holmbury St Mary
- 2010 St Barnabas, Ranmore
- 2010 St John's Free Church, Westcott
- 2012 St Mary the Virgin, Pixham
- 2022 St Martin's Church, Dorking
Work on the record of St Martin’s, Dorking was started by this group in Autumn 2010. It has now been completed by the Horsham Arts Society Church Recording Group.
The Record was handed over to St Martin’s at the morning service on 4th September 2022. It comprises three volumes and took many hours of work by both societies.
Since 2021 The Arts Society is no longer affiliated with Church Recording but the work is continued by The Church Recording Society.