                          |
|
Save St John's Church
OUR STORY OUR STORY St John's Church was closed for worship in 2002, following a Church of England inspection of the building which said that the building must be closed immediately.
People in the area had been very concerned about this closure as very few people believed that the condition of the church was really that bad, but there was no forum to channel that concern. Many did people did not believe that the condition of the church was that bad and local suspicions were high that the Church was just after the land.
In May 2007 as part of the redundancy procedure the Church Commissioners wrote to the local councillors amongst other interested parties asking for local views about the church. One councillor went to press, to the Dudley News, asking for local opinions. A local schoolboy, Dwayne Morgan, 10 years of age, decided to start a petition to save the church and dropped a few sheets in Tiwana supermarket in High View Street. The petition gained a life of its own as people wrote their own spare sheets and gathered 795 signatures in two weeks!! This without any press publicity or any other promotion.
The petition was handed in on the 16th June 2007
Another petition was handed in too late containing another 117 signatures Many people worked hard to get those signatures - to name a few, Chris and Dwayne Morgan, Tracy, Tiwana Supermarket, Highview Fish Bar, Freebodies Pub and customers, Maureen Marsh, and others who wrote or typed up extra sheets and visited family and friends to get them to sign. An open meeting of the St Johns Church Parochial Council took place at 7.30pm on Thursday 6th July. There was no press publicity for this meeting and so attendance was low. The resulting press piece was to say that a decision had been made to make the church redundant due to the high cost of repairing it. People were shocked, and disappointed and indeed disbelieving that such a loved place could come to this. On 17th July 2007 the recently appointed Priest in Charge Rev Dave George indicated that he did not object to an attempt being made to form a SAVE ST JOHN'S CHURCH PRESERVATION GROUP, to see how much interest there is when it comes to action rather than simply signing a petition. Adrian Baillie and Deb Brownlee began work on this website which went live, although incomplete at the first possible date which was the same day joining forms were made available, 17th August 2007. 54 people joined on the first day and several new supplies had to be photocopied. The current membership figure can be seen on the Home Page of this website. From the small beginnings of Deb Brownlee, Adrian Baillie and Christine Morgan other local people prepared to put the hours and hard work came forward to form an informal working party/committee. The first committe formed was -Deb Brownlee, chair Adrian Baillie, Vice Chair Annette Eardley, Secretary Bill Adams, Treasurer Michelle Smart, Membership and Research Maureen Marsh and May Whitehouse, Recruitment Christine Lucas, outreach and general promotion Julie Pugh, Schools Liaison and Young Supporters and Melissa Dunn, Young Supporters. We held our first committee meeting on 6th September and they have been weekly ever since as we are trying to push things along at a rapid pace. Stone Square, Dudley -Saturday 2nd September 2007 by invitation we set up a table close to the wrestling ring. 19 new members signed up and 35 forms taken away for family and friends. Thanks to Future Championship Wrestling of Kates Hill for inviting us along. Great wrestling demonstration and a good result for the St John's Church Preservation Group. Wrestling at Baggeridge Miners Welfare, the Straits, Lower Gornal last Sunday of the month 7.30pm. Find out more about Future Championship Wrestling at www.futurewrestling.co.uk
We issued our first press releases for weeks commencing 8th October and 15th October to promote our first meeting with the public on Thursday18th October 2007, a drop in at the Freebodies pub between 4pm and 8pm. On 18th October we hosted an informal information drop in at the Freebodies Pub. We boosted membership to 775, gained 8 new street advocates and several interesting new contacts . A representative from English Heritage attended and addressed those present regarding the state of the building and the process involved to list the building. He informed us that English Heritage had lodged a formal objection to the redundancy process and do not believe the building is beyond repair. In October 2007 Professor Carl Chinn, broadcaster, author, historian, lecturer agreed to become PATRON of the St John's Church Preservation Group. Professor Chinn is a direct descendant of a brother of William Perry, the Tipton Slasher, who is buried at St John's. He accepted the post of PATRON with these words: “I am honoured to become patron of the St John’s Church Preservation Group and fully support its aims and objectives. With its commanding view of the Black Country from historic Kates Hill, St John’s is a church that calls out to us of the importance of religious buildings in the life of the industrial West Midlands; whilst in its graveyard are buried many of the people who transformed the Black Country into one of the greatest manufacturing regions in the world. They deserve better than to be left in a place that has almost become wild and their relatives deserve the opportunity to be able to pay their respects in a fitting place. There are concerns across the Black Country and Birmingham about the state of many churches, chapels and graveyards and if the St John’s Church Preservation Group is successful it can act as a beacon of hope for other campaigners. ” November 2007 it is agreed that vice chair Adrian Baillie will not stand for formal election due to his commitments in trying to save St Edmunds Church, Dudley, where he is Churchwarden. November 2007 committee member Christine Lucas taken into hospital. 15th November 2007. We became a fully constituted committee at our launch event. We held the meeting outdoors, on the carpark of the Old School House next door to the church, thanks to the kindness and generosity of the owner of the former St John's School. The event was held outdoors as our request to hire the Parish Hall had been ignored. The event insurance was personally sponsored by two former members of the St John's Church Youth Club. Over 100 people turned up with candles and lanterns for the short inauguration service, hymns and prayers. Pedmore Panthers cheerleaders added to the fun of the occasion, and the event was filmed. Guests included all three ward councillors, Councillors Shaukat Ali, John Davies and Steve Waltho, and Michael Taylor the well known author who was written several books featuring Kates Hill and St John's Church and is a founder member of the St John's Church Preservation Group. Best wishes messages were received from Ian Austin MP and our patron Professor Carl Chinn MBE. The Church of England refused to provide a spiritual leader for the event so the prayers and hymns were led by a retired Salvation Army Major who did a fantastic job but did not wish to be named. The meeting was excellently chaired by Mr Keith Massey who stood in after we had been let down by two guest chairs. The original guest chair was to be the Mayor of Dudley Councillor David Stanley. He withdrew 'on the advice of church leaders'. The second guest chair was Mr Doug Winterborn, he withdrew at 48 hours notice. November 2007 work begins on preparing an application to have St John's listed. We were refused access to the church to take photographs and we appeal through the press for people to dig out old photographs. The response is amazing and we glean important information from wedding and other family photographs. 28th November 2007. Public Meeting in the Parish Hall called by the Archdeacon of Dudley Fred Trethewey.We counted over 100 people and they were clearly overwhelmingly in favour of saving the church. Various presentations were made: The Archdeacon and Churchwarden Brian Wentworth explained how a regular architectural inspection of the church had resulted in the church being closed in 2002 but worship had transferred into the Parish Hall. Mr Wentworth said that the congregation had been very upset at having to leave the church building. Mr Wentworth was asked from the floor why he would not let the Preservation Group in to take photographs. He said that only he as Senior Church Warden was allowed in. When asked why he would not take the photographs for us he did not answer. Another person from the floor offered to go in using his own £5m insurance to take the photographs, this was refused. Mr John Dentith, secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee explained the lengthy processes to be gone through before a final decision would be made about the church. Priest in Charge for St John's Parish Rev George explained that church ministry was available for local people through the St John's Little Church in the Parish Hall, and if only the main church could be made redundant the Parish Hall could be registered for weddings. Councillor Shaukat Ali declared an interest in as much as he is a member of the St John's Church Preservation Group but stated he was speaking as a local councillor not as a member of the group. He thanked the Church Commissioners for asking for public views and Dwayne Morgan and his Mother Christine Morgan for starting the petition off. He urged the parties concerned to sit down and discuss together a way forward as saving the church obviously mattered to local people. Deb Brownlee chair of the Preservation Group said that people had come forward in great numbers (nearly 900 in just over three months) to support saving the church. Advice and expertise are available to help with funding bids and the Preservation Group would ideally be acting as a support to church efforts to save St John's. She echoed the sentiments expressed by Councillor Ali for all parties to work together and called for a third survey due to the differences in the first two. Alan Taylor of English Heritage informed the assembly that their survey in 2005 revealed basic repair costs for the church to be £126,000 , this figure excluding decoration and toilets and kitchen. The main part of the building is not letting in water and the roof is showing no signs of strain. He said that English Heritage have formally objected to the redundancy process as they consider the church to be not without architectural merit and important to the area. Mr Taylor also said that he had never known efforts to save a building attract such a lot of local support in such a short time. Councillors Waltho and Davies expressed their agreement with Councillor Ali for suggesting group working. 2nd December 2007 Councillor Shaukat Ali writes to the Church Commissioners asking them to suspend the redundancy process until a steering/working group is set up and all options for the future of the church have been explored.
6th December 2007 Letter from the Preservation Group to the Church Commissioners asking for the redundancy process to be halted or paused to allow the opportunity for interested local people to explore the options for retaining the Church as a centre for Christian worship with the Diocese of Worcester. We express our willingness to work with the church leaders in Dudley and to raise the funds for the restoration of St John's. We also express a willingness to help with the ongoing funding of the building. 18th December 2007 We discover that the Bishop of Dudley David Walker has asked the Church Commissioners not to progress the redundancy process any further until the results of a third survey are released. The survey due to be carried out in January 2008. On the basis of this we issue a joint press release from the Preservation Group and Archdeacon Press Secretary saying that we were pleased that there would be a third survey but expressing reservation as we had not been allowed any say in the surveyor chosen. 3rd January 2008 The Archdeacon of Dudley sends out a lists of dates for the first meeting of a Steering Group, aims to review the meeting of 27th November 2007, Consider Terms of Reference and Consider the next step. Date is set for 28th January 2008 28th January 2008 First meeting of steering group. In attendance Councillor Shaukat Ali (facilitator), Archdeacon Fred Trethewey, Senior Churchwarden Brian Wentworth and Churchwarden Sandra Jones, PCC secretary Pam Wentworth, Deb Brownlee, Chair St John's Church Preservation Group, Annette Eardley, Secretary St John's Church Preservation Group. It was agreed that the Terms of Reference would include looking at options whether or not redundancy granted, funding streams, needs of the community, communication with the media, mutual respect. We requested permission to allow us to pay BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) to clear the grounds, and we felt this would be a good start on working together. We emphasise the urgency as bird nesting will start again very soon. It was agreed that we would put a proposal to the St John's PCC in time for their next meeting on 12th February. Date of next Steering Group meeting set for 17th March 2008.
7th February 2008. Following a site visit written proposal to Senior Churchwarden Brian Wentworth and PCC members regarding grounds clearance comprising BTCV costs and work to be carried out and our assurances that we will pay for the work.
12th February 2008 St John's PCC agree to the work being carried out subject to agreement by the churchwardens of the detailed programme of works. 28th February 2008 BTCV asked to deal direct with Senior Churchwarden as various objections and requests for further information mean that the time scale to start the work is now critical. March 2008. A piece written by a regular contributor appears in the Gateway, St John's Church Parish Magazine which states the following: "One thing that has set my mind working is the idea that the poor old church building can be repaired and put in working order for the ludicrous sum of £135,000. Somebody has been off with the fairies." We immediately send a letter to the editor, Rev George, asking that we be allowed space in the magazine to provide factual information about our work and be allowed to speak to the congregation. March 2008 Jim Ruston joins the SJCPG committee. Jim has a Masters Degree in Local History Research and years of experience of interpreting legal issues from his work with Customs and Excise. 17th March 2008. Second meeting of Steering Group. Present Deb Brownlee, Chair, St John's Church Preservation Group, Annette Eardley, Archdeacon of Dudley Fred Trethewey, Councillor Shaukat Ali, Brian Wentworth Senior Churchwarden, Pam Wentworth PCC Secretary, Sandra Jones Churchwarden. We raised the issue of the piece printed in the March Parish Magazine and the fact that no-one is allowed to talk about the Preservation Group in the Parish Hall, and those people who support our work have to talk to us in whispers. Archdeacon informs us that we are an external organisation working against the wishes of the congregation and as such cannot expect to be represented. We are advised to write to the incumbent Rev George and ask if he will give us representation. The Senior Churchwarden confirmed that he wanted grave by grave permission before clearance work can start, and permission will not be granted to remove self setter trees growing out of graves as the relatives may like to see trees growing through the graves. He and Archdeacon state that the church have no insurance for volunteers working on site. Councillor Ali suggested a site visit with the Archdeacon and this was agreed. Preservation Group to look into setting up insurance for volunteers at Preservation Group expense. Deb Brownlee asked if Preservation Group can bring forward proposals at the next steering group for community re-use of St John's Church. The response is lukewarm to say the least and she is told by the Archdeacon 'not to spend too much time on it'. Councillor Ali asks if there is any point to this group if the decisions regarding the church have already been made. 17th March 2008. Annual Meeting of St John's PCC and election of Churchwardens. Our secretary Annette Eardley stands to be elected as a Churchwarden. She is defeated but is appointed by Rev George as a Deputy Churchwarden following a suggestion from a member of the congregation. At the start of the PCC Annual Meeting Preservation Group committee member Jim Ruston challenged the Chair of the meeting, Rev George regarding the interpretation of the Church Representation Rules. After a delay the challenge is accepted and people who have joined the church electoral roll this year were allowed to vote. Three candidates from the Preservation Group stood for PCC places, two were elected by congregation - Annette Eardley and May Whitehouse. There were 5 places available and 6 candidates. We were delighted to achieve representation for the views of the Preservation Group through the democratic election of two of our members. More than half of those present voted for both of our successful candidates. 31st March 2008 Letters to Senior Churchwarden regarding rubbish not being removed from the church grounds - we are offering to arrange to remove it if he won't and also asking him to ask permission from the Archdeacon to remove self setting trees not in graves - the trees are not under Preservation Orders so rules previously outlined regarding diameters of tree trunks do not apply. Letter to Rev George asking again for SJCPG representation in Parish Magazine and in the Parish Hall. Letter to PCC secretary asking again re SJCPG hiring the Parish Hall for events. 2nd April 2008 Preservation Group appealing in press for funds and volunteers to step up the campaign to Save St John's. Professor Carl Chinn, group patron has been informed of developments and gives appropriate quote for press use. Other key supporters informed that we have to apply more pressure. No objections raised. April 2008 We find out that the Archdeacon has arranged to meet with BTCV at St John's Church on Friday 18th April. Preservation Group not included even though it us who will be paying for the work. 8th April 2008 email received from Archdeacon intimating that the reason for the delay in getting the St John's Church grounds cleared is because of the delay in setting up the meeting with BTCV. 17th April 2008 reply sent to Archdeacon outlining a number of areas where we are deeply unhappy with Church of England behaviour towards the Preservation Group and the attempt to blame the delay in the grounds clearance on BTCV. BTCV will not now start work until September due to bird nesting but they have agreed that some sensitive clearance could be carried out meantime by volunteers. 21stApril 2008 Preservation Group invited to take space at the Table Top Sale in the Parish Hall on Monday 5th May. This means congregation and Preservation Group working together in the same room for the first time and we are delighted. Preservation Group will be displaying information boards and selling items to raise funds. Very positive press release issued. 28th April. Senior Churchwarden contacts Annette Eardley to say that Preservation Group cannot put their information boards up in the Parish Hall at the Table Top event on Monday 5th May. 28th April. Deb Brownlee contacts Archdeacon. Boards will be erected on Old School House Car Park if not in the Parish Hall. 2nd May. Meeting of Archdeacon Fred Trethewey, Senior Churchwarden Brian Wentworth, Deb Brownlee, Chair, SJCPG. Archdeacon leads discussion. Detailed discussion provides communication and information. It is agreed that Preservation Group boards will be allowed in the Parish Hall at Monday 5th May table top event. Deb Brownlee repeats that we want to be the friends and helpers of the CofE in St John's Parish not their enemies and will be asking for official CofE policy towards St John's be on the agenda for next steering group meeting. Monday 5th May 2008 Table Top Sale in Parish Hall. First time SJC Preservation Group allowed to display information. PCC members, Senior Churchwarden and SJCPG members work well together.
|