The Church of England Record Centre (CERC) is a sister service and home for records of the Church, in particular, its central bodies. Records at CERC show how the organization and activities of the Church of England have evolved since 1704. These are held at Bermondsey. We work alongside Lambeth Palace Library which holds records relating to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Records at CERC include information about: management of church properties; creation and construction of new churches and parsonage houses; financial assistance to poor clergy; church legislative bodies since 1919.
If you would like to consult material, this is possible by appointment. Please contact us to book a table in the Reading Room at the Record Centre.
Opening Hours:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-4pm, except public holidays. Details of Easter and Christmas closure will be published on this page.
To book an appointment:
- please give at least 2 working days' notice
- check the references of the items you wish to see
email these to us at archives@churchofengland.org putting 'Advance Order (CERC)' in the subject line.
We will then confirm your booking. If you are unable to make your appointment, please let us know.
On your first visit, you must register for a reader's ticket.
To obtain it you need to bring:
· 2 recent passport-style photographs and
· 2 forms of ID - one piece of photo ID and one proof of address from each of these lists:
Photo ID
Passport; Driving licence; Police/Customs/Home Office/Warrant Card; Forces ID card; Old Lambeth Palace Library card
Proof of Address
Recent Utility Bill (Gas, Electricity, Telephone, Water - less than 3 months old); Bank/Building Society Statement (printouts not accepted); Credit Card Statement; Council Tax Bill/Council Rent Book; State Pension Book Benefit/Family Credit Book; Passport (where the address has been officially entered by the issuing authority); Driving Licence with address; TV licence.
Any item appearing on both lists can only be used once.
You can also use this card to access Lambeth Palace Library.
[Staff of the National Church Institutions: you do not need to register for a reader's ticket but bring your staff pass]
Disability access provision: please contact the Record Centre in advance.
