Fears for future of 1,000-year-old church
A PARISH church that was once the cathedral of Cornwall is to be effectively mothballed because of a decline in worshippers.
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Image from St Germans Parish
Just
six services a year are now to be held at St Germans in South East
Cornwall, according to parishioners, who say they are "heartbroken" by
the decision.
They also say the 1,000-year-old church could be taken over by the Churches Conservation Trust.
A
resident of St Germans, who wished to remain anonymous, told the
Western Morning News: "Closure has been rumoured for some time – the
problems started in 2002.
"The church is a national treasure and was the cathedral of Cornwall at one time. People have worshipped there for 1,000 years.
"Since
2002, the congregation has reduced from about 48 to a maximum of 10 –
if it's not raining. There's no organ and the treasures of the church
aren't to be seen.
"Now we're so afraid we will have nowhere to worship at all."
A meeting is due to be held next Sunday at noon at St Germans Church to discuss its future and possible closure.
The
anonymous parishioner said: "There is a group of us who feel that we
should tell as many people as possible about the possible closure.
"We are all quiet, sensible people – we aren't rabble-rousers or a clique which is trying to cause trouble.
"We want to know if the people of St Germans want this – and people from further afield who come to visit our church.
"We're heartbroken about this news and we are determined to tell everyone we can."
David Watson, of the Diocese of Truro, said the church's future was uncertain.
"I know that the parochial church council were considering the church being taken over by the Churches Conservation Trust.
"This
would mean that it wouldn't really close – it would still be open for
people to go into for a quiet space and there would be a series of
services throughout the year."
Mr Watson said the future of the
church would be discussed at parochial church council level before an
application was sent to the Diocese of Truro to decide what they would
like to do about the future of the church.
"I'm very anxious to
make clear that the church won't close – its status would change," said
Mr Watson. "It is a highly emotive issue for a small community like St
Germans.
"But on the other hand, if the worshipping community is
reduced to the fingers on one hand, and there are all the costs of
maintaining a church, it has to become a hard-nosed financial decision."
35 Comments
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by Colin, Tideford
Thursday, March 11 2010, 8:55AM
“Elephant. I meant white elephant. Sorry.”
by Colin, Tideford
Thursday, March 11 2010, 8:54AM
“No point keeping anywhere open if it is used by a handful. This church has been too big and a financial white element for the best part of two hundred years.”
by Jessica, The Millfields
Thursday, March 11 2010, 8:43AM
“It forms part of Port Eliot estate. the family benefited from the reformation and have a responsibility to maintain the church now. if they can\t then it must be sealed and only reopened if voluntary funds can be found to reopen it. It is too big to be maintained at state or church expense for its middling historical significance or for the infinitesimal usage by worshipers.”
by Joel Potts, plymouth
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 6:11PM
“' my point was not to say muslims are bad people out to get us, but to raise the question 'Are we aware of the intent of new religions that are growing quickly in this country?'
If anyone had any doubts/questions in regards to a church's activities I'd expect them to ask the question 'What are they teaching in there?'
hope this clears up any confusion.”
by Mrs T, Plymouth, Plymouth
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 6:02PM
“How sad to hear that this may happen to this lovely church. Having researched my husband's family, we found his ancestors were from St Germans and many a buried in the church yard there. Churches such as this are a valuable part of our heritage, regardless of our personal religious beliefs.”
by Mo, Camberley
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 5:47PM
“THERE¿S a special planning meeting to decide whether a listed Victorian school building (left) should be knocked down and a mosque built in its place.
All 40 councillors from Surrey Heath Borough Council will consider the application from the Hampshire & Surrey Bengali Welfare Association this evening at the theatre in Knoll Road, Camberley starting at 6.45pm.
Local residents are up in arms over the idea of what was formerly St Gregory¿s Roman Catholic school being demolished and replaced by a mosque with a domed roof and two minarets. Over 300 people are expected to pack into the theatre to voice their opposition to the application.
The property in London Road, which is about half a mile away from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, was bought by the Bengali Association back in 1996 and has been used as an Islamic Centre.
Now they say the building no longer large enough to meet the needs of the growing local Muslim community.”
by Mo, Camberley
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 5:41PM
“THERE¿S a special planning meeting to decide whether a listed Victorian school building (left) should be knocked down and a mosque built in its place.
All 40 councillors from Surrey Heath Borough Council will consider the application from the Hampshire & Surrey Bengali Welfare Association this evening at the theatre in Knoll Road, Camberley starting at 6.45pm.
Local residents are up in arms over the idea of what was formerly St Gregory¿s Roman Catholic school being demolished and replaced by a mosque with a domed roof and two minarets. Over 300 people are expected to pack into the theatre to voice their opposition to the application.
The property in London Road, which is about half a mile away from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, was bought by the Bengali Association back in 1996 and has been used as an Islamic Centre.
Now they say the building no longer large enough to meet the needs of the growing local Muslim community.”
by Alex, Cornwall
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 4:26PM
“I dont actually believe that religion is dead. Dan Brown has made a log of money on its history and its power. It means a great deal to a lot of people.
Its decline is down to those who 'protect' it, the clergy. Stuffy services which have no relevance in the modern world. A sermon had to relate to today not to the past.
Other religions have got it right, the past is in the hands of the future”
by Simon, Plymouth
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 4:02PM
“Why anyone can believe in "God" nowadays is crazy. I am an atheist and religion has no place in the modern world. I stopped believing in the tooth fairy, santa claus and the monster in my wardrobe when I was a child. Why "intelligent" people believe in a divine being is madness ! All the so called church-goers I have met in my life, are the most two faced, hypocritical , selfish and intolerant beings that walk the Earth. Ban religion it causes wars, terrorism, cruelty and suffering.
Rant over, I await the "wrath" of the bible-bashing crew lol”
by Green22, plymuff
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 3:53PM
“Flippin heck Andy, take a breath! Poor Joel has had a right earbashing. As he rightly states, how is it acceptable for you to be downright rude about him and his beliefs/religion yet he has not once insulted you or your beliefs in the same way? You seem to have a very warped and old fashioned view of 'modern' Christianity. Some of my closest friends are Christians, they don't preach to me or tell me I'm going to hell if I don't convert. They try and help others, offer kind words in times of trouble and worship God in a fun and modern setting. Heaven help anyone (sorry about that) that doesn't agree with your views hey?”