There was a church here in 1200, attached to Hexham Abbey. Through much of its time, it was either a Chapel of Ease or extra-parochial and there was not a Parish, as such. In more recent times it has been attached to another small village - Throckrington and also Bellingham and more recently, Kirkwhelpington. In the early 1970's it became a Parish in its own right and part of the United Benefice of Kirkwhelpington, Kirkharle, Kirkheaton and Cambo. In 1730 it was roofless and was rebuilt by the lady who owned the Kirkheaton Estate.
Since then, the Chancel was enlarged and and the Church was gothicised. A vestry was added. Also, lime workings have come very close on the north side, so the cottage shown, no longer exists.
We now jump to today. The hamlet of Kirkheaton has 18 houses and cottages. There are also 3 outlying farms, a new racing stable and 4 cottages. Very few of the inhabitants take any real interest in the life of the Church, though some, if asked, would say that it is important to the Village. As can be seen from the picture, there are many people buried in the Church-yard, and this means that there are families far and wide who have an interest. But the crunch line is that there are only 6 people on the Church Electoral Roll and 4, + the Treasurer from else-where, on the PCC. (Parochial Church Council). A Holy Communion Service is held on the 3rd Sunday of the month, at 8.30, which is attended by an average of 7 people. 3 people in the village come + others from the Benefice.
Two sundays ago, the main electricity switch failed. This was a fault that could not be mended by an amateur. The electrician who came had to tell us that everything in the electric line in the church was illegal! It had mostly been installed in the 1960's and things have changed considerably since then. With difficulty, I managed to get a ball-park figure out of him for re-wiring - replacing lighting and 4 night store heaters. The existing ones were on their last legs - only one fan and the heat not adjustable! This figure was at least £6,500 + VAT. As the price of cable goes up as fast as oil prices, this could be more already.
Now we come to the moral position. Can anyone justify spending up to £8,000 on so few people? There is a general feeling that we cann't. The options currently thought to be available are:
1. Do nothing. Services could only be held when it was light. The fabric would gradually deteriorate and tiles would come off the roof
2. Minimum maintenance. Rewire everything necessary to run 2 night stores Fit 2 new night stores in place of uneconomic ones at a cost of about £250 + VAT each. No provision for lighting. Ballpark costs of rewiring to be obtained. Summer services only. Keep the roof and gutters in order.
3. Completely rewire and fit 3 new night store heaters at a cost of (ballpark figure) less than £10,000 + VAT.
4. Continue to follow up the idea of developing the church for community use at a cost of about £50,000.
Initial comments:
1. I imagine we would not be allowed to do that by the Diocese.
2. Combined with joining one of the other Parishes in the Benefice, (Kirkwhelpington?), this could be the only feasible option.
3. Too large a sum to spend on so small a congregation.
4. The access to the church – i.e. not being able to get a vehicle up the steep hill – puts off other bodies. Improving the access is difficult if not impossible.
(The WI Hut is condemned and the plan is to replace it with a pre-fab wood hut at a cost of about £40,000.)
Once the WI have their new Hut, we would be able to hold services in it, I imagine, but I fear that the people from the Benefice would not come. Would it attract anyone from the village who does not come at present?
If anyone reads this and wants to make any HELPFUL comment, I shall be glad to read it.
Following the first comments:
The money is available. The question is, is it morally justified to spend so much on such a small number of people? There are Methodists, but they go to neighbouring chapels, the one in the village went out of use long ago. Deconsecration is not an option at the moment, I am glad to say. London commuters do not buy up here yet :)
6 comments:
It is so very sad that these costs are constantly rising and making fellowship such a difficult activity for those involved. If I could wave a magic wand and supply the money myself I would. To see our historic buildings deteriorate breaks my heart. I should imagine for those few congregation it is particularly frustrating. I am sorry to offer no helpful comment, Withy, but I do send my heartfelt prayers that this problem will be rectified.
Crystal xx
It is so sad that a church with such an ancient history should be under threat. I'm sorry I can't offer any suggestions that wouldn't cost lots of money. I'm not even a churchgoer myself, but please keep us informed of what happens.
That little church was probably a thriving one. How sad to see it go.
Are there not grants that you could applay for?
OK church is important as a focal if not an actual centre to the community. Who owns those buried there. Might be worth trying to find genrations born to those now there interred and perhaps ask them if they could help the preservation of thier history a bit by donating something small. Candle lit services ? Do yo have any other religious groups in teh area who might share. In our old village int eh UK christmas services were held in the once catholic now C of E church for all teh denominations and everyone came, baptist cathlic C of E methodist andhouse churches too.
Sorry cant be more helpful the only other optioni can see is deconcecration adn sellign it off as as econd home to some wretched londoner...
Oh no UPL, hope that doesnt happen. I deplore deconsecration. Oh Withy, like CJ I wish I had that magic wand for you. I suppose the wider community couldnt be persuaded to donate towards a historic building? So sorry Withy.
Not familiar with English church laws at all I make a suggestion you may call completely daft but, this is what small congregations do in Germany when they are in a similar situation. Try to get a loan from the diocese and let the most important work be done to save the church.
Then raise money by hosting concerts,jumble sales guided tours around other landmarks in you area, shops in the area may also be able to make small donations and as a thank you their names get engraved on a plaque that will be put in a prominent place once the project is finished. Maybe some member of the church could write a booklet about the history of the place and sell it. I am sure once you get started there will be loads of ideas coming in. Hope you find a way to save the church and it remains what it always was.
Post a Comment