Visitations

Every year, the Archdeacons’ Visitations take place. These are formal church services, during which Churchwardens across each Archdeaconry are admitted.

They make a formal declaration and the Archdeacons offer prayer and encouragement. The admission to office can be done by the incumbent or another ordained minister as appropriate.

Churchwardens should take their Declaration Form to the visitation service they attend.

You will need to ensure each of the forms are completed.

Nomination of Churchwardens - Form A

This is for this year’s election of churchwarden and is to be completed before your Annual Meetings. Candidates should be made aware that it is the Diocesan Bishop’s expectation that all churchwardens in this diocese should be DBS-checked.

Download the Nomination paper


The Citation - Form B

This gives details of the date and venue for the Visitation Service in your Archdeaconry. In order to be admitted to office for the coming year, you will need to attend this service.

If for good reason you are unable to attend the Visitation Service for your Archdeaconry please contact your Archdeacon’s office so that arrangements can be made for you to attend  an alternative service.

Please select your Archdeaconry below to access the forms

Barking Area

  • Barking Archdeaconry

    The Ven Christopher Burke, Archdeacon of Barking
    includes the Deaneries of Barking & Dagenham and Havering

    Deanery: Barking & Dagenham
    Date: 21 June 2023
    Time: 7:00pm
    Location: Becontree St Thomas

    Deanery: Havering
    Date: 28 June 2023
    Time: 7:00pm
    Location: Romford St Alban

    Download the form

  • Harlow Archdeaconry

    The Right Reverend Lynne Cullens, Bishop of Barking
    includes the Deaneries of Epping Forest & Ongar Harlow

    Date: 19 June 2023
    Time: 7:00pm
    Location: St John the Baptist Church, Epping CM16 5DN

    Download the form

  • West Ham Archdeaconry

    The Ven. Elwin Cockett, Archdeacon of West Ham
    includes the Deaneries of Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest

    Date: 14 June 2023
    Time: 7:30pm
    Location: St. John’s Church, Stratford E15 ING

    Download the form

Bradwell Area

  • Chelmsford Archdeaconry

    The Ven Mike Power, Acting Archdeacon of Chelmsford
    Includes the Deaneries of Brentwood, Chelmsford North, Chelmsford South and Maldon & Dengie

    Date: 4 July 2023
    Time: 7:00pm
    Location: St Peter’s Church, South Weald CM14 5QJ

    Date: 15 July 2023
    Time: 10:00am
    Location: All Saints’ Church, Maldon CM9 4PY

    Download the form

  • Southend Archdeaconry

    The Ven Mike Power, Acting Archdeacon of Chelmsford
    Includes the Deaneries of Basildon, Hadleigh, Rochford, Southend and Thurrock

    Date: 28 June 2023
    Time: 7:00pm
    Location: Holy Trinity Church, Rayleigh SS6 8BB

    Date: 13 July 2023
    Time: 7:00pm
    Location: Emmanuel Church, Billericay CM12 9LD

    Download the form

Colchester Area

  • Colchester Archdeaconry

    The Ven Ruth Patten, Archdeacon of Colchester
    Includes the Deaneries of Colchester, Harwich, St Osyth and Witham

    Deaneries: Colchester and Witham
    Date: 7 June 2023
    Time: 7:00pm
    Location: St Botolph’s, Colchester CO2 7EE

    Deaneries: Harwich and St Osyth
    Date: 3 July 2023
    Time: 7:00pm
    Location: St Andrew’s, Alresford CO7 8BL

    Download the form

  • Stansted Archdeaconry

    The Ven Robin King, Archdeacon of Stansted
     Includes the Deaneries of Braintree, Dunmow & Stansted, Hinckford and Saffron Walden.

    Deaneries: Saffron Walden
    Date: 6 June 2023
    Time: 6:45pm
    Location: St Mary & St Clement, Clavering CB11 4QX

    Deaneries: Braintree
    Date: 12 June 2023
    Time: 6:45pm
    Location: St Peter ad Vincula, Coggeshall CO6 1QF

    Deaneries: Dunmow & Stansted
    Date: 13 June 2023
    Time: 6:45pm
    Location: St Mary’s church Church Dunmow CM6 2SJ

    Deaneries: Hinckford
    Date: 19 June 2023
    Time: 6:45pm
    Location: St Mary’s church, Steeple Bumpstead CB9 7DG

    Download the form


Certificate and Declaration - Form C

All elected Churchwardens should print and complete this form on both sides and bring it to the service at which they are to be admitted, to give to the Archdeacon.

Download the form


Articles of Enquiry Form for the year ended 31st December 2022 - Form D

This is a simple form for you to complete. It is a legal requirement that needs your attention before the Visitation Service.

This form should be completed by you and be brought to the Visitation Service to give to the Archdeacon (please keep an extra copy for your parish records)

Download the form


Do you have everything you need?

Download and print off the following checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your visitation.

Parochial Inspection form

Area Dean or Lay Chair Parochial Inspection form


For more information or to report anything wrong with this page please contact Chris Copus