Note 331 — Chapter IX

Sm. Churchw. 52-57. A faculty is not necessary for mere repairs or redecoration where no alteration is made in the structure or the design, nor for trifling additions such as movable seats or hassocks. But a change in the mode of lighting or heating the church ought to be sanctioned by faculty. The grant of a faculty, besides ensuring that all is done legally and carefully, prevents any ill-feeling being cherished in the parish on the score of the alteration having been made without the knowledge or consent of some of the parishioners; since the application for the faculty affords to all who are interested in the matter an opportunity for submitting their views upon it. The regular mode of obtaining the approval of the parishioners to it is by a resolution of the vestry. But the opinion of the vestry is not conclusive; and a distinction will sometimes be made between the votes of those members of the vestry who are Church people and those who are not; see note (3) on p. 89 above.