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WANSTEAD: Historic church facing destruction
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| Rev Rosalind Selby outside the Wanstead United Reformed Church |
A ROW has broken out amid news that an historic church at the heart of a community for more than a century could be demolished and replaced.
The crisis at Wanstead United Reformed Church (URC) has been triggered by news that it faces a seemingly insurmountable repair bill of more than £750,000.
Church elders are now considering whether to apply for a £100,000 grant for a brand new purpose-built church but many parishioners are furious that it could be the end for the existing church, which dates back to the mid 19th century.
One church-goer, who did not wish to be named, said: "The synod and church elders seem to be set on the option that the church should be pulled down and another built in its place.
"It appears that they have already decided that and are now trying to get the church members on their side in a very short time-frame and, it appears, without really investigating all possible options.
"I am very concerned that this decision is being made without the input or knowledge of the community of Wanstead as the church buildings are used by several different groups and the church is central to many in the area."
In a joint statement in the URC newsletter, church elders and the minister said the thought of rebuilding was "not an easy option, but it is an exciting one."
Of the £750,000 repair bill, they said: "We do not have, and cannot possibly raise this sort of money. We have done the research but there is no money available from the Lottery, the national church or the synod."
Hopes for a new church building have already been dealt a potential major blow after someone unknown to the church applied to English Heritage to have it granted listed building status.
The Rev Rosalind Selby said: "One option is to sell part of the building and use the funds to upgrade the remainder of the premises to make a church fit for the 21st century, that will serve not only the local church but also the community of Wanstead. I believe that this is a very exciting opportunity.
"The only decision we have made is to do some information gathering and form a group to explore the opportunities, it really is first stage information gathering."
The church has been hit by a spate of bad luck recently - earlier this year thieves stole a large quantity of lead from its roof, one of the key areas needing repair along with the building's stonework.
8:45am Wednesday 12th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Bartok, walthamstow on 2:12pm Thu 13 Mar 08
why can they no make this into small flats for everone to live in there as i pay room here 100$ for small and shar wit 9 person on bathe and tolet. this place nobody go and meybe better for peopol to live there no?
why can they no make this into small flats for everone to live in there as i pay room here 100$ for small and shar wit 9 person on bathe and tolet. this place nobody go and meybe better for peopol to live there no?
Posted by: Jamie, Nightingale Lane, Wanstead on 11:11am Fri 14 Mar 08
Come on, there is no way this beautiful building can/ will be demolished- seems like a rather cynical approach by the Church to raise funds!
Come on, there is no way this beautiful building can/ will be demolished- seems like a rather cynical approach by the Church to raise funds!
Posted by: Richard Daynard, Wanstead on 11:43am Fri 14 Mar 08
Dwindling numbers over the last seven and a half years? I think it would make a lovely small development. Look how nice Wanstead Hospital is now.
Dwindling numbers over the last seven and a half years? I think it would make a lovely small development. Look how nice Wanstead Hospital is now.
Posted by: md250, ilford on 10:27pm Fri 14 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Bartok[/bold] wrote:
why can they no make this into small flats for everone to live in there as i pay room here 100$ for small and shar wit 9 person on bathe and tolet. this place nobody go and meybe better for peopol to live there no?[/quote] bartok the ukranian **** returns
Bartok wrote:
why can they no make this into small flats for everone to live in there as i pay room here 100$ for small and shar wit 9 person on bathe and tolet. this place nobody go and meybe better for peopol to live there no?
bartok the ukranian **** returns
Posted by: mdj, e10 on 1:15am Mon 17 Mar 08
I don't understand how these good people can have been persuaded that demolition and rebuild will cost less than repair, quite apart from the loss of a handsome and well-loved building. I repair church stonework for a living, and it's not cheap, but I'm constantly stunned by the figures I see quoted as repair budgets for old buildings. By the time the architects, surveyors, H & S consultants, and the whole inverted pyramid of suits have taken their tithe off the budget, sometimes only half of that goes on the actual work. I hope this church is getting impartial advice.
I don't understand how these good people can have been persuaded that demolition and rebuild will cost less than repair, quite apart from the loss of a handsome and well-loved building. I repair church stonework for a living, and it's not cheap, but I'm constantly stunned by the figures I see quoted as repair budgets for old buildings. By the time the architects, surveyors, H & S consultants, and the whole inverted pyramid of suits have taken their tithe off the budget, sometimes only half of that goes on the actual work. I hope this church is getting impartial advice.
Posted by: J. J. Guest, Wanstead on 3:00pm Mon 17 Mar 08
This historic building has already been saved from demolition once when it was moved to Wanstead brick by brick from its original location, the site of what is now St. Pancras Station. It would be a great pity for it to be demolished now. And just think what the new church would look like if it were to be built on a budget of £100,000 - less than the price of a small house!
This historic building has already been saved from demolition once when it was moved to Wanstead brick by brick from its original location, the site of what is now St. Pancras Station. It would be a great pity for it to be demolished now. And just think what the new church would look like if it were to be built on a budget of £100,000 - less than the price of a small house!
Posted by: Mick Dreher, Nightingale Lane on 11:34pm Mon 17 Mar 08
You need not be a church goer, or at all religious to recognise the building's validity. It's an integral part of the community. I find the'Elders' hopelessness despicable. Do they not know that there is unquantifiable value beyond cost. With their attitude we haven't got a prayer. Thank God I'm not religious.
You need not be a church goer, or at all religious to recognise the building's validity. It's an integral part of the community. I find the'Elders' hopelessness despicable. Do they not know that there is unquantifiable value beyond cost. With their attitude we haven't got a prayer. Thank God I'm not religious.
Posted by: Joe Forster, Liverpool on 8:50am Tue 18 Mar 08
Most architectural redevelopments led by top-down advice are doomed to fail to meet their purpose. If the people of this church involve the community they can lead the reinvigoration of the site instead of being milked for the profits of some property developer. What about a joint venture with a housing association, accessing grants to provide good-quality social housing while funding a new church or remodelling the existing one? The whole site could be made carbon-neutral (with recycled materials, solar roofing etc). These are the sorts of opportunities that really are exciting, but have to be fought for against the advice of the suits. People won't come to church just because the building looks new, but they will join in when they feel truly involved.
Most architectural redevelopments led by top-down advice are doomed to fail to meet their purpose. If the people of this church involve the community they can lead the reinvigoration of the site instead of being milked for the profits of some property developer. What about a joint venture with a housing association, accessing grants to provide good-quality social housing while funding a new church or remodelling the existing one? The whole site could be made carbon-neutral (with recycled materials, solar roofing etc). These are the sorts of opportunities that really are exciting, but have to be fought for against the advice of the suits. People won't come to church just because the building looks new, but they will join in when they feel truly involved.
Posted by: Observer on 1:35pm Fri 21 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Joe Forster[/bold] wrote:
Most architectural redevelopments led by top-down advice are doomed to fail to meet their purpose. If the people of this church involve the community they can lead the reinvigoration of the site instead of being milked for the profits of some property developer. What about a joint venture with a housing association, accessing grants to provide good-quality social housing while funding a new church or remodelling the existing one? The whole site could be made carbon-neutral (with recycled materials, solar roofing etc). These are the sorts of opportunities that really are exciting, but have to be fought for against the advice of the suits. People won't come to church just because the building looks new, but they will join in when they feel truly involved.[/quote] I am sure that the last place on earth that can teach the rest of us anything about social cohesion must be Liverpool. Clear up your own back yard.
Joe Forster wrote:
Most architectural redevelopments led by top-down advice are doomed to fail to meet their purpose. If the people of this church involve the community they can lead the reinvigoration of the site instead of being milked for the profits of some property developer. What about a joint venture with a housing association, accessing grants to provide good-quality social housing while funding a new church or remodelling the existing one? The whole site could be made carbon-neutral (with recycled materials, solar roofing etc). These are the sorts of opportunities that really are exciting, but have to be fought for against the advice of the suits. People won't come to church just because the building looks new, but they will join in when they feel truly involved.
I am sure that the last place on earth that can teach the rest of us anything about social cohesion must be Liverpool. Clear up your own back yard.
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