Historic Catholic churches in North East Lincolnshire under threat
THE future of the Catholic church in North East Lincolnshire is under review – putting the future of two of the borough's churches under threat.
The Grimsby Telegraph has learned that Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocese is carrying out a review of provision in the area following falling congregation numbers and fewer people being ordained into the priesthood.
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UNCERTAIN: St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, in Grimsby, which may be one of three in the area to close, following a review of Catholic churches in the area. Picture: Rick Byrne
As reported, a 2008 review saw St Peter's in Grimsby's Crosland Road, on the Willows estate, being closed down and put on the market.
And now, a newsletter sent to parishioners following a consultation with them, has revealed that unless the Bishop can guarantee two priests will serve the area, "plans should be developed assuming only one priest will serve North East Lincolnshire".
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It continued: "The community will have to concentrate on two places of worship and one shared church at Immingham and to be administered as one community or parish.
"It will not be possible financially or necessary for mission within the declining community to maintain two large churches in Grimsby.
"The preferred and most economically viable option in the longer term for Grimsby would be to close and sell St Mary's Church and Rectory (St Mary's on the Hill, Heneage Road) and St Pius X Church and Presbytery (Chelmsford Avenue) and develop a modern, smaller and environmentally friendly church and small community centre elsewhere in Grimsby.
"If it proves to be feasible, the present St John Fisher site (Waltham Road, Scartho) is the preferred location."
The newsletter states that the second choice would be to retain St Pius and close St Mary's – which has far higher maintenance costs.
It also states that Corpus Christi, Cleethorpes – the parishes of which were amalgamated with St Pius, under the control of a single priest, following a similar review in 2008 – "should remain as a place of worship".
It says: "It is the most modern, serves the Cleethorpes community, and its refurbished community centre makes a valuable contribution to the wider community and finances of the parish."
Dean for the area, Father James Earley at St Pius, confirmed there had been a review but stressed nothing was set in stone.
He said: "All we can say is that a consultation process has taken place and we have taken the views of the parishioners of four parishes in the area.
"All options are on the table and the purpose of the review is to look at everything. We are looking at where we are now and where we might end up in the future."
The review has concerned ward councillors in the affected areas, who fear if left empty, the churches would fall into disarray.
St Mary's Church is in Councillor Steve Beasant's (Lib Dem, East Marsh) ward. He said: "I would be absolutely devastated if it were to close. I am not a Catholic or religious person but it is a beautiful building and if it isn't used it could become derelict.
"It could fall into wrack and ruin like so many of the other buildings around. It would be a crying shame and I would expect a lot of people to fight for that church."
Councillor Norma Lincoln (Lab, South) was also shocked to learn that St Pius in her ward could close. She said: "On a Sunday morning that church is stacked out with cars and I am surprised they might be considering closing it."
A parishioner, who did not wish to be named, said: "St. Mary's is the 'mother' church and was built during the period 1879-1883. It has a rare Pugin and Pugin Sacred Heart chapel. It would be enormously sad if it were to close and, presumably, be knocked down in the not too distant future."
Comments
by lildog
Monday, September 03 2012, 6:35PM
“It takes a lot in life to sort out fact and fiction. Any other comment is not worth the time.”
by ImmArthur
Monday, September 03 2012, 4:18PM
“Maybe the GT ThoughtPolice don't like ecu menisism, because they too are against the superstitious minorities ganging up on those of us with a degree of intelligence, objectivity and a deep sense of humanity who don't need to be brain-washed by people who make decisions about which big story book to believe in based on 'faith'.
Come on you few remaining once-a-week compassionate types, give the rest of us a break.
Arthur, Immingham
PS It must be fun, making up the dictionary the ThoughtBots use to control what we type!”
by Emjay24
Monday, September 03 2012, 9:50AM
“lildog, hope a human being monitors these posts and so can explain as well as taking the asterisks out of a totally non-offensive word”
by lildog
Monday, September 03 2012, 9:12AM
“Emjay 24,
as you stated initially, it is the system!”
by lildog
Monday, September 03 2012, 9:11AM
“Emjay 24,
'e***enism' was typed.”
by Emjay24
Monday, September 03 2012, 8:56AM
“Lildog, I've just realised that it is the automated system on this website that does that to the word e***enism! Goodness knows why.........”
by Emjay24
Monday, September 03 2012, 8:55AM
“Lildog, why did you put "e***enism" as "e***enism" in your post? Surely churches of different denominations working together is not a swearword?
Perhaps if more churches worked together more creatively (or perhaps I ought to say were allowed to do so by their hierachies) then mission would be furthered?”
by lildog
Sunday, September 02 2012, 7:20PM
“The report in Friday's Telegraph regarding closures of Catholic churches within the community, whilst on the surface, being truthfully reported, was only part of the story. The report was centred
on the reflections of one parish within the Catholic Community of N. E. Lincs. However, the other parish was not even looked at in the report.
Both parishes within N.E,Lincs, have been discussing the possible reduction in priest numbers, and congregation numbers and how best to manage the effects within the whole Catholic community.
A report has finally been assembled which covers all ideas and feelings of all Catholics within the local community, regarding that which is desirable to promote working together of both parishes, and it is from this report, the Malcolm, Bishop of Nottingham Diocese will make a decision, not only on N.E.Lincs., but on the whole of the Diocese with regards to reductions in priests, building closures and when it is to take place, if at all in this area.
The term, 'preferred', is only the wishes of one parish in the area and is certainly not cast in stone as Father James Earley states.
Whatever the outcome of the debate, it remains with the Bishop to make a decision one way or another as to the direction which the local Catholic community will take, and like it or not, that is the way the catholic community will proceed.
So, whatever the outcome, we WILL, as a total community, have to work together and make the system work, not only for Catholics, but also within the fields of mission, e***enism and our faith.”
by ImmArthur
Saturday, September 01 2012, 8:46AM
“What's the fuss about?
If there's a god, he'll provide.
If there isn't, he won't.
Before you superstitious types get your hopes up: There isn't, so he won't.
Solve the problem by converting the building to low-rent flats for the homeless and needy, it's not very often something genuinely good comes out of one of the ludicrous sects that once dominated this society.
Arthur, Immingham.
Probably scheduled to burn in hell. Oops, forgot, there isn't one of those, either. There's one life for us all - live it well!”
by Grathuln
Saturday, September 01 2012, 7:22AM
“I agree Vikti which is why the Catholic church should hand the building over to the community that's paid for its construction and upkeep so they might decide what to do with it.”