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Reprinted with written permission from People's Publishing, Inc. From Jan. 2002 issue of Western & Eastern Treasures magazine, pages 61,62

The Search at the Church

Guest Opinion

I had wanted to search our Churchyard for quite some time before I finally got the authorization to do so. My family has attended services there since my grandfather helped to build it in the late 1800's. When permission was granted, I was the only person given the OK. "No others from outside the congregation are allowed." With these restrictions, I reluctantly told my detecting companion of the last few years, that he could not hunt with me in the spacious yard.

I took my time, making sure that all the holes were watered thoroughly to prevent brown spots, and carefully replacing all the sod. I removed all trash, and never detected when there were functions going on in the buildings. I made a few good finds in the yard, including some Wheat cents, a couple of Indian Head cents, and several Barber dimes. However, someone had obviously detected there before, and I had heard of a few detector users being promply told to leave. For that reason, as well as the permission given to me, I felt that there was little need to worry about someone else searching the area.

I was wrong. One day after work, I saw a man swinging a coil feverishly over the lawn. It had been seriously dry for the last month, and water-starved grass and powder-dry soil had made me quit detecting there for a while. I walked over to the caretaker's home to inquire about the stranger, who soon joined us. When I explained to him about the restrictions imposed upon me when given the necessary permission, he shrugged and said, "All Churchyards are open to anyone!"

My mouth fell open. After all, the Detectorist's Code of Ethics states, "I will respect private property and do no treasure hunting without the owner's permission. I will appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources, wild life, and private property. I will use thoughtfulness, consideration, and courtesy at all times." All land is owned by someone -- even churches.

Incredibly, even though he was told several times that approval had to be obtained from the Church Board, he went back and continued to search. It was as if he had never heard the words. "You have to get permission!"

It is this type of action that gives detector users a bad name. Are Churchyards open to the public to dig holes in? That is what some TH'ers seem to think. It would have been great to have my friend with me to hunt this area, but I had made a promise to the Church Board. Should I now contact my friend so that both of us can work the site? If the Church Board members see us there, will they allow me to break these promises? Perhaps if I explain to them that "All Churchyards are open to the public," they will understand. PERHAPS NOT!!

I have contributed articles to Western & Eastern Treasures since 1995, and I felt that it was necessary to remind all readers of this great magazine that permission must be obtained to detect public or private property. I say "public" because there may well be restrictions or even laws prohibiting digging on these properties. Before you enter and search any Churchyard, schoolground, organizational campground, or other presumed public property, get the facts -- and get permission! Help us to keep this hobby alive, and to keep sites open to those of us who abide by the Code of Ethics, who obtain permission, and who take the time to care for other property as our own.