CHURCH authorities have come under fire from Wirral Council over plans to “abandon” a landmark building and sell an Anglican church to the Catholic diocese. The long-running feud between parishioners of New Brighton’s Ss Peter and Paul’s Church took another twist when council officers prepared a report voicing concern over proposed changes.
The Catholic church closed down Ss Peter and Paul’s earlier this year, despite a campaign by worshippers to retain it for services.
Instead, Masses are now held in the Anglican All Saints church – which Catholic authorities are negotiating to buy.
New Brighton councillor Tony Pritchard, who has been involved in the campaign to retain Ss Peter and Paul’s, said: “What is the point of buying another church when they have a perfectly good one already?
“I’m glad to see the officers are agreeing with us over this. Although it is a consultation, we are still hoping this report might have some effect – the council is not happy with this takeover of another church because of the impact on a landmark Grade 2 listed building.
“We do not want Ss Peter and Pauls to be left to become derelict – a very real possibility in this economic climate.”
The Catholic Church had said Ss Peter and Paul’s was too expensive to retain and faced costly repair bills, although parishioners had disputed the figures and some had even paid for repairs out of their own pocket.
Now a report by council officers says the church – which is listed as one of 15 key provisional landmarks in the North West Regional Assembly’s study of strategic views – says “the best way of securing the upkeep of historic buildings . . . is to keep them in active use”.
It also says planning policy guidance says that “the best use of heritage buildings will ‘very often be the use for which the building was originally designed’.”
The report added that “continuation or reinstatement of that use should certainly be the first option”.
According to the report: “The closure of St Peter and Paul’s for its original purpose (and the pursuit of alternative premises by the Roman Catholic Diocese) represents a threat to the special historic interest that this building holds.”
The officers have recommended that the council inform the Anglican Diocese of Chester of its concerns about the impact of the sale of All Saints Church.
John Mason, diocesan secretary of Chester Diocese, said he was unaware the council had even prepared a report, and the local authority had not taken up his offer to go to the committee to explain the churches’ plans.
Mr Mason said: “I could even express surprise that there is a report.
“It’s also important to note that what the Roman Catholic Church decides is not something Chester Diocese can influence, but people ought to know that, although ownership of All Saints may change, both denominations will continue to use it.”
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(Source: LDP)