A Proper Church
[A list of questions that Bishops were to ask while investigating a
Church]
1. ... after that they should examine the church building all around, to
see if it is well roofed and vaulted and to make sure that no doves or
other birds make their nests there - this last because of the
uncleanliness of their droppings and the noisy disturbances of which they
are capable.
3. [They must inquire] if hay, grain, or anything of that sort is
kept in the church.
4. Then they should go up to the altar, and consider what sort of
equipment it has; how much is new, how much old, and how cleanly it is
maintained.
10. [They must inquire] if it has a complete Missal, book of
Lessons, and book of Antiphons. For without these mass cannot be
perfectly celebrated.
12. They must inqurie about the lighting of the church ...
15. They should also consider whether the entry to the church is
strong enough and closed frequently enough to escape pollution from any
unclean deed.
Regino of Prüm, De Ecclesiasticis disciplinis, I, in PL,
XXXII.