Repair bill forces church to close

A church has been forced to announce it will close its doors after a massive repair bill left it without a viable future.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th May 2016, 14:25 BST
Updated 13th May 2016, 15:26 BST
St Peter's Church, BrynSt Peter's Church, Bryn
St Peter's Church, Bryn

The congregation at St Peter’s Church in Bryn will worship at venues around the area as the Bryn Road building requires £250,000 of work to keep it open.

The Diocese of Liverpool described the situation as “impossible” and “unsustainable” as the building is unfit for public use and impossible to insure.

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The church is expected to hold its last service at the end of this month, with the congregation meeting on Sunday, June 5 at St Peter’s School and further venues for worship to be announced after that.

A joint statement on behalf of the vicar Rev Sian Gasson and the church council said: “The church council deliberated very carefully on the best future for the church community. Following expert reports and a detailed inspection the church building was deemed to be unfit with the necessary repairs costing in the region of £250,000.

“This is a clearly unsustainable position and we have no realistic option but to close the building. Our insurers are unable to offer us insurance and it would be impossible for us to do what is needed to maintain and run the building for the future.

“As a church community we will continue to meet and worship in a variety of schools and community venues as we work together to serve the community.

“We will continue to publicise where we will meet.

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“We are a strong active church and the church council hopes that we will continue to grow as we meet in different venues in the community.”

St Peter’s Church was built in the 1960s and has a lady chapel as well as the main worship space. Reports have previously highlighted problems with the roof and windows.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Liverpool added: “We support the decision of the church council as a realistic option for the future of the building.

“As a diocese we own and manage some of the finest buildings in our region and take our responsibilities seriously.

“We believe that the church council have made a responsible decision to enable them to focus on their prime aim to be a place for worship and to serve the community.”

Related topics:Liverpool