Churches are put on Red Alert

[LittleSpark]

This was the headline in our local newspaper last night.

"Historic churches in Dudley have been put on a 'red alert' and warned that they could face closure amid a struggle to cope with £1.12million of urgent repairs and shrinking congregations. Diocese of Worcester Officials today warned that merging congregations or even closing buildings could be the only option for 7 churches which are failing to make ends meet. 4 of Dudley town centre churches including the landmark Top Church have been placed on 'red alert'

I was really saddened to read this. The 7 Churches mentioned are within a mile radius of Dudley town centre.
St. Edmunds (opposite Dudley Zoo) holds records from the 1500's. My husband's grandparents were curates there, his father was a choir boy there, married there and his funeral service was also held there.

St. Thomas (Top Church) is 'our landmark' in Dudley and can be seen from many miles away. That too holds records from the 1500's.

With people nowadays marrying at alternative 'venues' it does make you wonder what will happen to our Churches in the future.
Imagine in years to come when the next generation of genealogists are trying to trace their ancestors - what a nightmare it will be for them!

I do hope the Diocese of Worcester has a change of heart and that the money can be found or raised to deal with the necessary repairs, or it will truly be a sad day to see our Churches closed.

Sheila

[Waitabit]

Let's hope they don't raise the money by selling the land off the Realtors!