This Old Church: How to Handle Routine Maintenance at a House of God

The average age of a church in America is about 75 years. A growing number of these structures now qualify as historic buildings. That means many churches need major maintenance work. Even if your property team stays on top of routine maintenance and your church members chip in to help, the facility likely needs some fixes and improvements.

Maybe the paint is peeling off the steeple. Or clogged gutters are directing rainwater straight into the basement fellowship hall. You probably have at least one door lock that only works if you jiggle it just right. And there’s that pothole in the preschool parking lot that has parents ranting.

Every house requires ongoing maintenance and upkeep — even God’s house, where his people gather for worship, fellowship and service. As with other gifts from God, the church building and property require thoughtful stewardship.

Church maintenance takes a lot of money and time, but those are often in short supply with shrinking budgets and busy schedules. When staff and volunteers are stretched thin, church leadership may have a tough time prioritizing a long list of needs. Postponing any type of regular maintenance can lead to costly “reactive maintenance” later.

But solutions are available for sprucing up your church property and building — for small repairs and major projects alike. Even with limited resources, churches can approach routine maintenance proactively.

First, let’s look at why church maintenance matters and what areas it covers. Then we’ll explore options for addressing maintenance needs and ideas for raising funds.

Routine Maintenance at Church: Why It Is So Important

Deferred maintenance is a financial issue, because delaying necessary fixes might lead to bigger, more expensive problems down the road. Neglected facilities can create safety hazards and insurance liabilities. Plus, a crumbling building or overgrown lawn might violate local codes.

Maintaining a church building is also a spiritual priority. The condition of your church’s exterior and interior speaks volumes to members, visitors and the surrounding community. Rundown churches that lack proper facility management imply a lack of care and make bad first impressions. That can hamper the effectiveness of your church’s ministry and outreach efforts.

On the other hand, a clean, well-cared-for space conveys excellence, hospitality and an active, inviting church body. Vibrant spaces often draw in first-time guests — and encourage members to take pride in their place of worship.

Pastors, church staff and congregants are caretakers of God’s property, and should keep tabs on preventive maintenance to ensure the church remains a safe, welcoming place for worship, discipleship and outreach.

Common Maintenance Needs at Churches

Church maintenance covers everything from small, routine tasks to large capital projects. One way to make sure nothing falls through the cracks is to use a maintenance checklist. Some ministries rely on church facility management software to track everything from church cleaning and maintenance request forms to routine inspections and long-term maintenance plans.

If your church facility maintenance plan isn’t in writing yet, ask a few members to tackle that project first. Consider the following aspects of church operations — some are necessary after every church service or event, while others are needed occasionally or infrequently.

Routine, Ongoing Maintenance

• Weekly cleaning of restrooms, windows, carpets and pews
• Lightbulb replacement (interior and exterior)
• HVAC filter replacement
• Fire alarm testing and inspection
• Church grounds maintenance (lawnmowing, watering and other landscape maintenance)
• Sidewalk snow/ice removal
• Gutter cleaning
• Pest control
• Minor plumbing fixes
• Touch-up painting

Seasonal or Annual Tasks

• Roof inspection
• Boiler or furnace servicing
• Exterior power-washing
• Drainage and sump pump checks
• Appliance cleaning and checks
• Parking lot sealing, striping or repairs
• Playground equipment regular inspections
• Sprinkler system maintenance
• Septic tank servicing

Larger, Infrequent Repairs

• Roof repair or replacement
• Carpet or floor replacement
• Window repair or upgrades
• Structural repairs
• Replacing outdated electrical or plumbing systems
• Restoring damaged pews or sanctuary furniture
• Major landscaping renovation

How to Spruce Up Worship Areas and Church Grounds

Improving your church’s appearance and functionality isn’t always complex. Small touches can have surprising impacts. Here are budget-friendly ways to brighten up the sanctuary and grounds:

Indoors

• Declutter storage areas and lobbies
• Deep clean carpets, pews and upholstery
• Paint walls in neutral or calming colors
• Replace outdated signage or bulletin boards
• Upgrade lighting for better warmth and visibility
• Add fresh floral arrangements or seasonal décor

Outdoors

• Edge walkways and trim bushes
• Plant colorful flowers
• Pressure wash sidewalks and siding
• Paint or repair railings and steps
• Add benches or signs that welcome visitors
• Install motion-sensor lighting for safety

Plan the Work, Then Work the Plan

To keep up with upkeep, follow these guidelines:

• Rely on a regular maintenance checklist. Categorize items by frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually). Assign responsibility to staff members, volunteers, a maintenance team or contractors. Include follow-up dates to confirm completion of preventive maintenance tasks. With a checklist of items and target dates, trustees or facilities committees can prevent emergencies and extend the building’s life.
• Harness church technology. Maintenance management apps and other maintenance software will help you track items by date and category.
• Conduct regular walkthroughs. Identify areas that need immediate attention, and list future needs for proper maintenance. Even one trustee completing a monthly walkthrough can catch issues early and prevent small problems from growing.
• Prioritize safety and functionality. Begin with items that affect safety (broken steps, flickering lights) and worship readiness (heating/cooling, sound system).
• Assign point people. Trustees, deacons or facilities volunteers can oversee different areas (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, landscaping). The Altar Guild or Worship Team might oversee a church cleaning checklist, recruiting volunteers to fill weekly slots.
• Stay on top of inspections. Budget for and schedule annual inspections. Seek recommendations for licensed contractors for roofing, fire systems, security and utilities.
• Designate seasonal cleanup days. Many churches hold a workday every spring and fall. Boost morale by providing volunteers with snacks, water and lots of gratitude.
• Keep a list of several “shovel-ready” projects. That way, when the right people with the right skills suddenly have some free time, they can begin immediately.
• Seek advice. Need help creating a customized church maintenance plan? Consult a facilities expert for your denominational office. They’ll have targeted tips and can guide you through the process.

Getting Help with Building Maintenance

If your church lacks funds to hire contractors, tap into free or low-cost labor resources hidden within the community. And many people are willing to help if you simply ask. For example:

• Church members with special skills. Recruit skilled tradespeople within your congregation who have special know-how and equipment. In addition to providing a sense of purpose within the church, serving this way offers them exposure to new customers. For large projects, experts can provide guidance to a larger group of volunteers who provide labor.
• Church members without special skills. Many church maintenance tasks don’t require professionals. Now you can find a YouTube video for almost every type of fix!
• Youth organizations. Connect with local groups such as Girl Scouts of America and Scouting America. Scouts need volunteer service hours to advance through the ranks. Older kids working on an Eagle Scout or Gold Award can organize larger projects such as building classroom shelves, planting trees, working on drainage projects, etc.
• Local high school or college groups. Schedule seasonal clean-up days or work projects as service activities. Then reach out to students who need community service hours. Also partner with vocational tech schools to offer projects for real-world experience.
• Retired professionals. Retirees who worked in skilled trades might be eager to volunteer and make new social connections.
• Community service programs. Contact nonprofits that coordinate (and supervise) court-ordered community service.
• Other churches. Collaborate with nearby congregations for shared volunteer days or to swap experts.
• Local businesses. Some contractors donate labor or materials as a tax-deductible service.Also ask hardware stores for gift cards or discounts on supplies.

Outside-the-Box Fundraising Ideas for Church Maintenance Projects

Raising money for church maintenance may lack the glamour of a mission trip fundraiser. But people’s investments will yield lasting returns. Adapt these creative ideas for collecting donations:

• Use an Adopt-a-Project board. Display a range of specific maintenance needs along with estimated costs. Then let members sponsor or partially fund projects of their choice (anonymously, if desired).
• Offer a matching-funds challenge.Encourage a church member or church leader to match funds up to a certain dollar amount. That adds extra motivation for reaching a goal.
• Feed people to fund church maintenance projects. Whip up a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner, with freewill offerings going toward a specific repair or purchase.
• Recruit sponsors for a church fix-up day. Partner with local businesses to donate supplies or funds in exchange for free advertising.
• Hold a tool drive. Ask members to donate gently used tools or equipment.
• Create a maintenance giving fund. In your church giving platform, offer a recurring option for Facilities Support.
• Try a Memory Brick fundraiser. Members can honor loved ones by purchasing engraved bricks for a walkway or wall.

Church buildings, while not eternal, are sacred gifts for ministry purposes. Stewardship of this asset honors God, protects worshipers and supports the church’s mission.

So don’t let deferred maintenance pile up just because time and money are tight. With commitment and a well-planned checklist, your congregation can keep facilities safe, clean and welcoming. Even small steps now will protect the future of your church.