Ambitious partnership plan aims to save historic church
The future of one-thousand-year-old St Cuthbert’s Church in Billingham is in danger but an ambitious plan is aiming to save it from permanent closure.
Rising costs and falling attendance have pushed the Parish towards having to apply to Durham Diocese and the Church Commissioners to close the Church.
However Rev David Brooke, Rector of the Parish, and Ken Wilson, Chair of the Friends of St Cuthbert’s Church, have come up with an exciting partnership to keep the ancient church open and in use with a bold restoration project to transform the beautiful and atmospheric building. More importantly, it is planned to create a space that will be owned by the community and used for the community’s benefit but still with worship continuing.
David explains, “This is a new approach when a parish no longer has the wherewithal to retain all its churches for worship, which is where we are. Technically it involves closure of the church concerned as the responsibility of the Parish, in this case St Cuthbert’s, but then immediate transfer to a new charitable community body, in this case the Friends, and reopening for broader community benefit as well as retaining worship.”
The restoration of the Grade 1 listed Church will be aimed at giving it the flexibility to provide for a full range of community uses. Ken says, “The brighter and fresher environment will enhance St Cuthbert’s existing magnificent historical appeal.”
As well as the community use, the church will still be available for worship.
David adds, “I am delighted that the Friends are committed to continuing worship including carrying on the baptisms, marriages, and funerals which have been an unbreakable link between our Town and the Church over ten centuries.
“It is natural for me to welcome that as Rector, but I also endorse the Friends’ firm conviction that worship has become so embedded into the fabric of the Church over its thousand years of life, that it is essential for it to be preserved. We will be working together to secure the approvals needed to enable that to happen.”
A significant grant application will be necessary for the restoration, and community support will be central for the Diocese and the Church Commissioners in deciding whether to approve the proposal.
"I am delighted that the Friends are committed to continuing worship including carrying on the baptisms, marriages, and funerals which have been an unbreakable link between our Town and the Church over ten centuries..."
The Friends of St Cuthbert’s and the Parish will be running a series of roadshows throughout Billingham, to explain what is planned and to urge the whole town to sign up in support. They will also be consulting widely on both how the church restoration should be tackled and how worship should be organised post transfer.
There is much work still to be done by the Friends, the Parish, the Diocese and the Church Commissioners, but David and Ken are hoping that that with the partnership that has now been agreed, it will be possible to move forward with all speed with the legal and consultation process for approval followed by successful transfer of ownership and relicensing for worship.
Find out more on Facebook: Friends of St Cuthbert’s Church, Billingham.
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Joanna MorrisBBC News, North East and CumbriaTiaba AliBBC Tees
