Community groups facing move after church closure
SuppliedCommunity groups have had to find a new home as a church and its hall are closing due to dwindling congregation numbers.
St Andrew's Church, in Coxhoe, County Durham, stopped worship in May and the building is set to go on the market soon, the Methodist Church confirmed.
Coxhoe Parish Council said it was looking at ways to retain the building as chairman Stuart Dunn said local community groups needed the space.
"It would be such a shame to lose such a wonderful facility which people love and it gets good use," he said.
A consultation with residents is under way, with the parish council exploring funding options for the potential purchase.
Dunn said the village's Brownies group, which was using the church hall, had to move to nearby Quarrington Hill due to lack of space.
"They've got a quilters group, they've got bands who go and rehearse there," he said of the hall.
"So unfortunately some of them are becoming homeless, some are moving across the road to Coxhoe Village Hall but we don't have enough space for all of them."
'Desperately needed'
St Andrew's Church held its first service in 1964 after the village's two Methodist churches merged.
Dunn said many people had been married or christened there and the community was sad at its loss.
"It's just a lovely facility which the community desperately needs and it'll be so sad if it gets lost to development," he added.
Rev Bev Hollings, superintendent minster of the Castle Eden Circuit, which oversees the Coxhoe church, said there had been inquiries from the Village Hall Committee and an independent church about purchasing the building.
"We hope one of these might be possible so that the building can continue to serve the community in the years to come," Holdings said.
"Meanwhile members are now worshipping elsewhere and I remain available to offer pastoral support including baptisms and funerals to them, and any other member of the community."
