A LOVINGLY detailed account of the treasures of St Bartholomew’s Church is now held in posterity by Haslemere Museum.

Representatives of The Arts Society of Haslemere presented the official church record to the museum on April 2.

Volunteer church recorders examined the metalwork, sculpture, woodwork, stonework, textiles, paintings, manuscripts, memorials and windows at St Bart’s.

Consulting with experts they then meticulously and methodically recorded and photographed the furnishings and artefacts.

One of the highlights for the local team was the opportunity to record a stained glass window, dating from the 1880s largely hidden from view by the organ loft, with depictions of saints Elizabeth, Cecilia and Agnes.

The record of St Bart’s has been years in the making, and will now become part of the museum’s library.

St Bart’s was presented with a church record during evensong in January.

The church’s relationship with the museum dates back to the foundation of Haslemere as a parish in its own right in 1868.

The Rev Sanders Etheridge was appointed rector of the new parish and lived in the house on the High Street, which now incorporates the oldest part of the museum, for the last 20 years of his life.

Haslemere Museum president Melanie Odell, said: “We are honoured to receive the church record.

“The compiling of this records has been a real labour of love for the arts society volunteers.

“The museum is hugely supportive of anything that promotes recognition and preservation of our local heritage”