Consultation dates confirmed over landmark historic closure-threatened Shropshire church
Bridgnorth’s public are being asked to help by giving their views on the future of the landmark church
A series of consultation events will be taking place over the future of historic closure-threatened Bridgnorth church.
St Mary’s Church in the town is calling on local people to help decide its future – and will be hosting the community events in April.
The consultation events are taking place after it was revealed that the church could face closure without “significant investment” due to structural issues.
Reverend Suzan Williams, Rector of St Mary’s Church in Bridgnorth, encouraged people to attend.
She said: “St Mary’s belongs to Bridgnorth. We want to hear from as many people as possible – whether you worship here, pass by every day, or just love what this building means to our town.”
It comes after the feasibility study led by Oliver Architecture identified “serious structural challenges”.
They include flooring affected by dry rot, an unrepairable heating system, and poor thermal insulation.
The diocese said: “Without significant investment, St Mary’s could face closure within 15 years. The consultation is an opportunity to ensure that the community’s voice is at the heart of any plans to save and transform the building.”
The consultation events will be held at familiar community venues across Bridgnorth throughout April.
They will take place on Saturday, April 4, St Mary’s stall at Bridgnorth Market, between 10am and 12pm on Saturday, April 11, at St Mary’s Saturday Coffee Shop, from 10am to 10.30am and noon to 1pm on Sunday, April 19, at the Sunday Service, from 9.30am to 11.45am on Wednesday, April 22, at the Senior Citizens Coffee Morning at Castle Hall, as well as from 1pm to 4pm on Wednesday, April 22, at Bridgnorth Library.
All events are open to everyone and people do not need to be a churchgoer to take part.
For those unable to make these dates the consultation boards will be left up in the church during the period or they can complete the online survey or pick up a paper copy from St Mary’s Church.
The church said the findings of the consultation will be used to inform an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the capital works needed to secure the building’s long-term future.
The Grade II church was built on the site of the original church in 1792 and was designed by Thomas Telford. It was consecrated in 1796.
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