Administrative History | Under the Ecclesiastical Dilapidations Act 1871, each diocese would appoint a surveyor to examine the buildings which the incumbent of a benefice (parish) was required to keep in repair. Such buildings included the vicarage or rectory, chancels, walls and fences. Surveys would be carried out when a benefice was sequestrated, became vacant, when the incumbent requested, or the archdeacon, rural dean or patron made a complaint. |