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Proposed closing of St. Pauls Church
1st March 2007
Thank you to all who responded to the petition previously posted here.
Some of your comments can be found on this page.
The Chairman of Trimdon Parish Council, along with a lot more of our parishioners, are concerned about the proposed closure of St Pauls church at Trimdon Station, which is the biggest church in all the Trimdons.
St Pauls Church
This church has two war memorials i. e. the church clock and the church organ. When the church clock needed repair the people rallied around along with the local school at Deaf Hill, and raised thousands of pounds to repair the memorial clock.
This gesture in itself means the church is really needed in our area, there are a lot of houses being constructed in the Trimdon Station area, and also proposed houses to be built in the Trimdon Colliery area. I believe the proposed closer of St. Pauls church be strongly reconsidered as the area is growing fast. Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Station and Deaf Hill all use the church.
The public should have the right to use the church if and when required. The attendance may not be good at present but the younger generation should be given the opportunity to attend St. Pauls church, as they are educated in our local school at Deaf Hill about the Christian faith.
George Martin. (chairman)
27th Sept 2006
The Northern Echo
Wednesday 18th October 2006
By CATHERINE JEWITT
Parish councils oppose plans 'to shut down village church
TWO parish councils have been angered by proposals to close a church that serves their communities. The Church of England says it is considering closing St Paul's Church, in Trimdon Station, following demands from its congregation.
The church has a small, elderly congregation and is finding it increasingly difficult to operate. After six weeks of consultation, church members agreed to press ahead with the closure process with a view to merging with one of three other local churches.
But the chairmen of Trimdon Foundry and Trimdon Colliery Parish Councils have written to the Durham Diocese to object.
Councillor George Martin, of Trimdon Foundry, said: "I cannot stress enough how much the church is needed in our area. It plays a valuable role in the community.
"When the church clock needed repairing, local people rallied round, along with Deaf Hill Primary School, to raise thousands of pounds, which demonstrates how valued it is"
Councillor George Elliott, of Trimdon Colliery, added: "I wouldn't like to see it close, "It would mean people in an area with low car ownership having to travel elsewhere for christening, funeral and wedding services traditionally held there."
The proposals will be subject to a period of public notice before the Church Commissioners, who manage the Church of England's assets, make a final decision. During that period, the congregation can decide whether to join St Mary's, in Trimdon Village, or St Alban's, in Trimdon Grange. or launch joint services with Trimdon Station Methodist Church. The future use of the building would be discussed at a later date.
Paul Judson, director of communication for the Diocese of Durham, promised that a war memorial clock and organ would be protected,
Mr Judson said: "The initiative came from members themselves. They decided this could be the best way forward and the proper procedures are now being carried out. No time scale can be set:'
The parish councils want the plans to be postponed until new housing developments are built in the hope they will increase the congregation.
Mr Judson said new housing was unlikely to make a huge impact on the congregation numbers.
The Hartlepool Mail
Monday 30th October 2006
The call to save village church
VILLAGERS are being urged to save a church threatened by closure.
The Church of England is considering closing St Paul's Church, in Trimdon Station, after members of the congregation said they were finding it hard to worship in the building.
Paul Judson, director of communication for the Diocese of Durham, said only eight or nine people regularly attended Sunday services and they wanted to merge with one of three other local churches.
But Trimdon Foundry and Trimdon Colliery parish councils have fiercely objected to the plans and are urging local people to sign an online petition or write to the diocese.
Councillor George Martin, chairman of Trimdon Foundry Council, said: "This is the biggest church in the three Trimdons and I honestly think it is essential that we try to keep it open.
"I believe the proposed closure of St Paul's Church should be strongly reconsidered as the area is growing fast and the public should have the right to use the church if and when required."
Councillor George Elliott, chairman of Trimdon Colliery Council, said: "I am surprised that the congregation want the church to close.
"There is a housing programme for 150 homes in Trimdon and they should give it a chance for the congregation to pick up."
Public consultation is currently taking place on the proposals before church commissioners make a final decision on the building's future.
Members of the congregation are being asked if they want to join St Mary's, in Trimdon Village, St Alban's, in Trimdon Grange or hold joint services with Trimdon Station Methodist Church.
Councillor George Martin opposite St Paul's Church, Trimdon
Mr Judson said the building would not be abandoned even if the church was closed.
"This is a process of careful thought and consideration and we need to find out what is best for the church family," he said.
For anyone interested in contacting the Diocese directly, details below;
The Diocesan Office,
Auckland Castle,
Bishop Auckland,
DL14 7QJ
Tel: (01388) 604515,
Fax: (01388) 603695
E-mail: Diocesan.Secretary@durham.anglican.org
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27th Feb 2007
(Message to the Parish Council)
We have had notification from the Church Commissioners about the scheme for the proposed redundancy of St Paul's Church. We will be placing details of the scheme in the two community centres in Trimdon Colliery on Tuesday 27 Feb and details of how people may make representations for or against the scheme to the Church Commissioners.
All good wishes
Rachel Stephenson
Parish Administrator
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8th January 2007
Reply received from the Diocese after submission of petition etc.
Quote;
“In reply to your email to Mr Ian Boothroyd , Diocesan Secretary, about the proposed redundancy of the church of St Paul , Trimdon:
Please be assured that the procedures governing church redundancy require much consultation with interested parties. Amongst others, these parties include the Parochial Church Council (in this case, of Upper Skerne ), the team rector and the local planning authority. Their views are sought before the Diocesan Pastoral Committee decides whether to recommend the proposals to the Bishop with a view to onward transmission to the Church Commissioners. The Commissioners then go through a period of Public Notice (displayed eg in the local press and in this case, I think, in Trimdon’s community centres) and at that point anyone wishing to make a representation to the Commissioners may do so. The Commissioners will listen to all views and then take a decision on the proposed redundancy. No final decision has been taken and, notably, the Public Notice stage has not yet been reached.
I ought to add, importantly, that the initiative for the proposed redundancy came from the parish. Continuing to worship in the church was becoming increasingly difficult for the very small congregation, which would still have the choice of five other places of worship in the parish to attend, were the redundancy to happen. The parish is also investigating the possibility of sharing worship facilities at the nearby Methodist building.
It ought also to be noted that the proposal only relates to the redundancy of the building. Were it to be made redundant, it would fall to the Diocesan Redundant Churches Uses Committee to seek a suitable alternative use for the church - a separate process which would be subject to further consultation.
I hope the above will help your understanding of the procedures and how consultation is central to them.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Stringer
Administrative Secretary” pastoral@durham.anglican.org
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23rd March 2007
Open letter from George Martin
Saint Paul’s Church
Trimdon Station
WE ARE LOSING A GREAT OLD BUILDING FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
ST PAUL’S CHURCH, ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT ALWAYS ATTENDED BY MANY (AND I WAS ONE) WE ALL NEW IT WAS THERE WHEN WE NEEDED IT.
THE CHURCH OFFICIALS ARE DEPRIVING US OF THIS LINE OF SUCCOURING OUR FAITH IN GOD, THEY SAY WE SHOULD GO TO ANOTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP.
MOST PEOPLE WORSHIP IN THEIR OWN HOMES, UNTIL THE TIME COMES TO SEEK OUT GODS PLACE OF WORSHIP - ST, PAULS - OUR CHURCH AT TRIMDON STATION.
THE MEMORIALS AND MEMORIES OF THE TWO GREAT WARS AND THE LOCALS THAT LOST THERE LIVES IN THIS AREA SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS AWFUL PROBLEM, THEIR MEMORIES SHOULD AND WILL GO ON FOREVER.
WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE MEMORIAL ORGAN AND CLOCK, THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED THAT WERE PUT IN ST PAUL’S CHURCH BY THE COMMUNITY?
TIME DOES NOT HEAL AND MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING, FAITH IS, AND PART OF THAT WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THIS VILLAGE.
WHAT WILL WE BE LOSING NEXT IN THIS AREA?
I MAY GET CRITICISED ABOUT THIS LETTER - MY FATHER ALWAYS SAID YOU SHOULD NEVER ARGUE ABOUT RELIGION OR POLITICS, BUT I AM SURE THIS IS WHAT’S RUINING OUR BELIEF IN LOVE, LIFE AND DEATH.
WHEN AGE CREEPS ON, YOU HAVE TIME TO THINK BUT NOT MUCH TIME TO PUT IT RIGHT.
MY SINCERE THANKS TO ALL THAT SUPPORTED ME WITH THIS VERY SAD PROBLEM
THANK YOU
GEORGE MARTIN
THE CHAIRMAN OF TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL
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Here are some of the views expressed by people who signed the petition; (whether for or against)
Most of my relatives were baptised, married and had their funerals there. It would be such a pity to lose St. Paul's - has such a lot of history to offer.
Keep it open to serve the community if not as a church , a local museum or art gallery.
‘I read the comments on the proposed closure of St Pauls Church with some surprise. The regular congregation is about six parishioners, all of whom are past retirement age. If anyone locally is concerned the church should stay open then a further half dozen regular worshippers who would contribute to the work needed to keep the building open would undoubtedly make the building stay open for worship. St Pauls is likely to close because too few people use it. It isn't fair that these few should pay for a building so others can use it occasionally.
It is a popular misconception that the C of E pays for churches, it hasn't for about 20 years, since as giving declines it simply cannot afford to. The main focus of central funding is clergy pensions, which seems only fair, clergy salaries much less so. The C of E has barely the funds to secure the clergy pensions, despite this being but poorly paid.
So it is half a dozen pensioners who pay. Even if the C of E did pay it would be a foolish waste of money for the six regular worshippers.
Money actually isn't the issue, there are simply not enough worshippers there. There is no final decision yet. Even if the Church Commissioners say we can close (it seems highly likely they will) were numbers suddenly to go up, perhaps only 6 more committed regulars, then I'd do my best to stop it closing, but it would need commitment to every Sunday and to take on work such as maintenance, locking and unlocking etc.
I understand the clock is not church property, though to be honest I don't understand this, and the fund raising to repair it was not, I understand a church project, though again I don't understand the ins and outs. The other issue is the village war memorials, which are church furnishings.’
‘We are all part of this church, and this church is pat of all of us.’
‘I have family from this area and also family in graveside’
‘We have not got much left in Trimdon, please leave our church’
‘I looked after the clock for over twenty years and I would like see it going another twenty years at least.’
‘St Paul’s should remain open in memoria of relatives married and interred there’
‘There is little doubt that St. Pauls church is looking rather tired, both inside and out. The outside is stark and the inside is rather grim and somewhat unwelcoming. However, I am certain that this has not always been the case. There must have been a need to build such a large place of worship and in it's heyday it must have had a large congregation and served as a focal point for the community for which it was built, consequently it must have been cared for and loved by it's congregation.
It is obvious that St. Paul's church still holds a central place in the affections of Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill folk, as evidenced by the magnificent effort to repair the church clock and messages of support from far and wide. I have no doubt that part of the problem is that it no longer has its own vicar but is served by a team of clergy who also serve other churches in the parish of the Upper Skerne. Whilst the number of folk attending services has dwindled to no more than a handful and are, as reported, from the older section of the community (which by and large reflects the national trend), this is not to say that the majority of Trimdon and Deaf Hill folk are not Christian, all it says is that they choose not to go to regular church services, this then must reflect a perceived failing of, not only the local clergy but also, and especially, the Church of England as a whole.
I recently visited St. Mary Magdelene at Trimdon Village in the middle of a weekday afternoon and found a good half a dozen jolly and friendly people there with more arriving every couple of minutes or so, parts of the inside of this church have been recently refurbished to include, of all things, a kitchen. Not a very big kitchen admittedly but certainly big enough to make a cup of tea and wash up afterwards.
Speaking with the Church Warden I was informed that there are plans afoot to incorporate disabled toilets within the fabric of the church and far from being horrified, I thought, well done! Now we all know that St. Mary Magdalene is a much prettier church than St. Paul's and no doubt attracts more bums on seats each Sunday with a much healthier collection plate, but, these two buildings essentially serve the same purpose, that is to provide a place of worship and act as a focal point for their respective communities. Why then does it appear that one is succeeding and going from strength to strength and the other appears to be an abject failure? How should the balance be redressed? I leave you to draw your own conclusions. Incidentally you might be interested in The Colliery Vicar by Jean Ellis-Thomas. It is readily available via the internet and will fill in a good couple of hours.’
‘I would rather keep the church than have more houses built on the site. The church is part of Trimdons history and I think it should stay.’
‘I live in Salisbury and my father lives in Chard in Somerset.
My Great Grandfather Charles Barlow is buried in St Paul's church yard. He died in an accident at Trimdon colleriery. He was only 19 and he died 1 month before his daughter was born (Charlotte Barlow). I think it is very important that we remember the lives of those who lived and worked in the mining communities. There lives were much harder than many of ours are today.
Churches are central not only to the living community but also to keep our links with the past and to realise how lucky most of us are, My father who is 76 and a little frail wishes to visit his Grandfather's grave in 2007. I only hope the church is still open and the gravestone still there as it would mean so much to him. Maybe we will be able to tend the grave and give something for the upkeep of the church. We may live a long way away but we still feel a connection with this area and don't want this church to close.’
‘We should oppose the closure of any of our Churches are our abiding history. They are the places where we were baptised, married, buried, three oif the most important things in our lives (and death) I was born and bred in Trimdon Grange and have been to St.Paul's on a number of occasions over the years and it would be a terrible shame if it were to close’.
“Horrified to learn this news. Having been brought up in what used to be Church Street in The Foundry, this beautiful old church with its clock tower, helped me learn to tell the time. St.Pauls church is an important central part of Trimdon Station history, both past, present and hopefully the future”
“Why can't St. Pauls Church be renovated instead of being demolished?
Surely the local community could find more uses for the building than simply using it as a place of worship, and what will happen to the Church clock? I believe that it is the local war memorial, does the memory of local heroes and others who served and gave their lives to keep this country free from the Third Reich mean so very little to Trimdoners?
I don't think so. I suspect that the decision to close St. Pauls and then demolish it has more to do with financial considerations than the thoughts and feelings of the local community. What will happen when there is a christening, wedding or funeral, will Colliery folk be expected to have their services at Trimdon Village or Trimdon Grange? Both of which are outside of their own community! Will burial services increasingly go directly to the crematorium thus not affording friends the facility to pay their respects to the deceased in the village where they (in many cases) were born, married, raised their families and made lifelong friendships. I wholeheartedly support the campaign to keep St. Pauls open.”
“Where and when did the consultation take place? Where was the publicity surrounding the consultation? How was the "wider" community given the opportunity to comment?”
“St. Pauls is a great landmark in our village, why not close St. Albans at Trimdon Grange church and renovate St. Pauls?”
“It is a very nice old church and has a lovely clock which keeps good time and can be heard and seen in Trimdon Grange. I love to hear it chime especially when in the garden.”
“I have lived in Derbyshire 44 years but have fond memories of living at no2 Prospect Terrace opposite the church, I would be against the closure ot the church”
“It is said that the door to God is always open... St Pauls is a doorway......... keep it open.”
“Price of land has gone up that much now it comes to this? the devil wins”
“A lovely church serving many people.”
“I had my two children's christening's at St Pauls church, and when grandchildren come along I would also like to their christening's at St Pauls. It will be a sad day if we were to loose this church.”
“Don't let St. Paul's become a part of Trimdon Past, involve schools and local people more and keep St. Paul's as part of Trimdon Present.”
“If not enough support for a church, then make it a community based centre”
“The church has been around for many decades that nearly all my family have used and myself for good things and for not so good things. what is the point in spending THOUSANDS of pounds on something the community is not going to get to use - they might as well throw the money away”
“Typical of the church, It will be sold for the land for houses!”
“Although I don't live at Trimdon now I think it would be a mistake closing this large and very central to the community church.”
“I think it would be a crime to close the church. I'm not a church goer but its a land mark and everyone recognises the church bells .“
“I was christened there and all of my family & so was my son. Why can't Tony Blair do something - it is his constituency after all.”
“I spent a lot of my childhood at this church and my family and I have lots of good memories please don t take them away”
“Too many peoples memories would be wiped out if this closure is allowed”
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