Every church tells a story through the items it holds — from silver chalices to altar cloths, stained glass windows, and historic furniture. Together, these form part of our shared Anglican heritage.

That’s where a Terrier comes in.

A Terrier is simply an inventory or register of church property and contents. It records what you have, where it came from, and any special history connected to it. Beyond its practical purpose for insurance and maintenance, a Terrier is a way of honouring the gifts and generosity that have shaped Anglican worship in our region.

What’s Required

Under Statute 3 (Third Schedule), every parish, regional deanery, and local church is required to keep a Terrier — and to lodge a copy with the Diocesan Office. This ensures there is an off-site record if anything is ever lost, damaged, or stolen, and it contributes to our collective knowledge of significant objects across the Diocese.

Unfortunately, many of our Terrier records are incomplete, and some are missing altogether. We’ve recently had several updates, which is wonderful — but there’s still a long way to go!

Why It Matters

Having a Terrier helps your faith community to:

• Maintain accurate insurance records and respond quickly if something goes wrong.

• Record the story behind objects — who gave them, when, and why.

• Preserve local history and memory for future generations.

• Avoid losing vital information if a key person moves on.

A completed Terrier can also make any future quinquennial property inspections smoother, and it’s a real gift to those who come after you.

How to Get Started

We have a Terrier template available (attached below or at https://calledsouth.org.nz/diocesan-forms/) — it’s our “gold standard” version, designed to be simple, comprehensive, and easy to adapt. You can:

• Download and type directly into it, or print and fill it out by hand.

• Include photographs of key items (especially valuable or historic ones).

• Send a copy to the Diocesan Office for safe keeping.

If you already have an older Terrier, start there — update what’s changed, add new items, and check that all records are clear.

The Diocesan Registrar is happy to provide advice, examples, and practical help if you need guidance.

A Living Record of Gratitude

Every Terrier is more than a list — it’s a record of generosity, faith, and community. By updating yours, you’re helping preserve the story of your local church for generations to come.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was used to help edit this article.