Closure of All Saints' Church being considered

All Saints Church, Hamer

With an aging congregation numbering just 18, All Saints' CofE Church, on Foxholes Road in Hamer, is facing closure.

Henry Hope, lay chairman of Rochdale Deanery and church warden of All Saints' Church, said: “It is with great sadness that the PCC of All Saints' Hamer has voted to consider the possible closure of All Saints' Church.

“This is particularly sad at a time when we have been celebrating the 150th anniversary of its consecration.

“However, the church community, although as faithful as ever, is now small and feels that it is no longer able to sustain the costs of maintaining the building.”

Mr Hope said that the congregation had gone down to around 18, one previous member, Stephen Shepherd trained for the clergy and is now at St Bartholomew, in Whitworth. A further two long standing members of the church who were PCC secretary, church warden and treasure have moved out of the area, and with an aging congregation Mr Hope wondered who would take on these roles.

Mr Hope went on to say that their current vicar, Reverend Dr Ian Carter, who was previously hospital Chaplin at Salford Royal, is off sick and was applying for early retirement.

He added that the PCC had talked over the situation at length with Archdeacon of Rochdale, Cherry Vann and that the diocese is in no way ‘forcing the closure’.

When asked where the congregation would go Mr Hope said that some members might go to St George’s, Oakenrod as that is where their previous vicar had gone to, others might go to Christ Church Healey.

Part of the process towards closing a church building is to consult with the local community and interested parties.  For this reason All Saints' Church is holding an open evening at All Saints' on 5 January at 7.30pm.

A member of the Church Commissioners will be present, along with the Archdeacon of Rochdale, to listen to the views of those present, to provide more information and to answer any questions that are asked.