- Introduction

- Theology and Spirituality

- Preparing the ground

- Consultation and PCC decision

- Its not over until...

- Finding another use for the building

Calling Time: Notes on closing a church

Introduction

Towards the latter end of the 1990s I found myself as the vicar of a parish having to face up to the closure of a church. The technical term for this is declaring it redundant. Although I did as much research as I could before embarking on this course of action, I was relatively unaware of what it entailed.

These pages are offered to anyone who finds themselves having to cope with the prospect of a church closure. They are written from the perspective of someone who actively sought to declare a church redundant, but they may equally be of interest to anyone who finds themselves encountering such a situation.

It is sometimes said, perhaps not always realising what this involves, that the church should get rid of church buildings it can no longer cope with. This is always a painful experience for everyone concerned and I hope that what follows will prepare those considering such a decision for what lies ahead as well as making it clear that this is not a quick fix solution. Indeed there is a strong argument for making the process less cumbersome.

This is a true story, though I have not identified the specific place. I have tried to be as fair as I can to all involved. It is inevitably a subjective account. I was not neutral in the process and felt my own pain at what happened and at some of what was personally directed towards me.

Please click on the links on the left to travel through the chapters.

Ian Black

© Ian Black 2002

26th May 2002