All Saints’ Church edges closer to closure

All Saints Church, Hamer

All Saints’ Church, on Foxholes Road in Hamer, is facing closure after a consultation meeting failed to find a solution to the problem of high maintenance costs for a congregation of just 18 people.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/107023/closure-of-all-saints-church-being-considered

49 people attended the meeting on 5 January, including Archdeacon of Rochdale Cherry Vann, Church Commissioner Norman Bilsborough, and Mrs Jayne Carter, the wife of current All Saints’ vicar Rev Dr Ian Carter.

All Saints’ Church Warden Henry Hope said: “It was an emotional evening, with a lot of heart searching, prayer and consultation. A lot of people spoke about their connections to the church, but if no new people come then we don’t have enough to sustain a church here.”

Mr Hope said the church costs £25,000 a year to maintain, but he insisted: “If more people attend then we are prepared to take the responsibilities of keeping All Saints’ open. If you’re keen to keep the church open, then please attend.

“Although many people spoke of their concern of the possible closure of All Saints’ with the church at the consultation meeting, no new members attended following services or a recent coffee morning. Unfortunately I think closure is likely.”

The decision was taken to explore the possibility of closure by All Saints’ PCC in November 2015, with the intention to do this after celebrations throughout 2016 – the 150th Anniversary of the church.

Members of All Saints’ PCC emphasised that the proposal for closure has not been undertaken lightly, and consultations will take place before any final decisions on closure and future use. However, in preparation for a likely closure, the church building has been assessed for future usage and a committee meeting will take place in March to begin formally exploring All Saints’ closure.

The future of the building has been discussed at an early stage and include the possibility of another congregation looking for larger premises and conversion to community or residential facilities. Archdeacon Vann said that any suggestions should be submitted in the form of a realistic business plan, while Church Commissioner Bilsborough stressed that no decision has yet been taken.