Historic parish church facing closure
A PARISH church that was once the cathedral of Cornwall is to be effectively mothballed because of a decline in worshippers.
Just six services a year are now to be held at St Germans in South East Cornwall, according to parishioners, who say they are "heartbroken" by the decision.
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1,000-year-old church in St Germans
They also say the 1,000-year-old church could be taken over by the Churches Conservation Trust.
A resident of St Germans, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Western Morning News: "Closure has been rumoured for some time – the problems started in 2002.
"The church is a national treasure and was the cathedral of Cornwall at one time. People have worshipped there for 1,000 years.
"Since 2002, the congregation has reduced from about 48 to a maximum of 10 – if it's not raining. There's no organ and the treasures of the church aren't to be seen.
"Now we're so afraid we will have nowhere to worship at all."
A meeting is due to be held next Sunday at noon at St Germans Church to discuss its future and possible closure.
The anonymous parishioner said: "There is a group of us who feel that we should tell as many people as possible about the possible closure.
"We are all quiet, sensible people – we aren't rabble-rousers or a clique which is trying to cause trouble.
"We want to know if the people of St Germans want this – and people from further afield who come to visit our church.
"We're heartbroken about this news and we are determined to tell everyone we can."
David Watson, of the Diocese of Truro, said the church's future was uncertain.
"I know that the parochial church council were considering the church being taken over by the Churches Conservation Trust.
"This would mean that it wouldn't really close – it would still be open for people to go into for a quiet space and there would be a series of services throughout the year."
Mr Watson said the future of the church would be discussed at parochial church council level before an application was sent to the Diocese of Truro to decide what they would like to do about the future of the church.
"I'm very anxious to make clear that the church won't close – its status would change," said Mr Watson. "It is a highly emotive issue for a small community like St Germans.
"But on the other hand, if the worshipping community is reduced to the fingers on one hand, and there are all the costs of maintaining a church, it has to become a hard-nosed financial decision."
19 Comments
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by st germans resident, st germans
Saturday, March 20 2010, 8:42PM
“There is an on line petition to save the church. Please go to www.ipetitions.com/petitions/stgermanschurchclosure and sign up.”
by sarah, truro
Sunday, March 14 2010, 8:50PM
“It is ironic that the Bishop of Truro celebrates the feast of St.Piran,a mythical figure in the history of Cornwall and yet presides over the demise of the most historic church in the county.Shame on him.”
by tegen, Bodmin
Thursday, March 11 2010, 9:54AM
“Just a small point - the Tudors were actually a Welsh dynasty although they sat on the English throne - and not universally popular to begin with! I also think the church should be preserved - it's part of our history whatever it's use.”
by edward finchale, north cornwall
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 10:18PM
“go on spill the beans, what did happen ? This is obviously a critical situation, this is the most important church in Cornwall and questions need to be answered. WMN please investigate. Why did the Diocesan secretary leave Truro.................?”
by ex congregation, st germans
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 8:55PM
“there are lots of questions but no.one in the church organisation appears to want to answer them. what caused such a dramatic decline in the congregation around 2002?why did the vast majority of the pcc resign on or around 2002? if the active church closes surely then there is no need for a vicar? if there is no need for a vicar there is no need of a vicarage and all the expense that? perhaps the vicarage can be sold to help the upkeep of the church? if there is no vicar or vicarage surely the position of bishop of st germans becomes redundant? will the other churches in the area be prepared to increase their contributions to the common fund to help pay the salary expenses etc of the vicar displaced from st germans? what is going to happen to all the silver and valuable altar clothes vestments etc that are in the church? is the valuable church organ just going be left to rot away? lots of questions !what about some real answers from the clergy in truro!!!”
by Mrs G Young, Saltash
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 8:03PM
“The question David Watson needs to ask before making comment about dwindling numbers at St Germans Church is 'What caused the majority of the committed congregation to leave the Church (and their money with it) in 2002-3?'
ex St Germans Church member”
by a concerned parishioner, st germans
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 5:31PM
“What was not made clear in the article was that weddings, (unless with an Archbishop's licence,) baptisms and funerals will no longer be able to take place at St Germans Church. Where will these be held in the future?”
by Andrew, Penzance
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 3:56PM
“Nigel, Wadebridge.
You believe that the National Curriculum for the whole UK is distorted in order to baffle us Cornish? And that the historical significance of Henry VIII should disregarded because his behaviour would not be acceptable today? Your poor grandson must be so embarrassed.
Why don't you just get over your hatred of the English and move on?”
by janet, now Manchester
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 2:58PM
“The arguments above are interesting but I feel they are missing the point. Whether a Church or a lump of stone this church is History, this islands' history and should be preserved. I know this church and it should be kept . Surely English Heritage or some other establishment should spare the funds for this. If they can give money to items such as 'Merlins' cave intact why not something substantial as a 1000 year old church that was once a Cathedral? It should be kept as a museum timepiece if not as a place of worship for future generations to admire and learn about. Those higher members of the church should contact such organisations and make enough noise to keep this building. History is important and should not be demolished because the local population dont show it the respect it deserves.”
by Tom the Cover, St Just emigre
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 2:34PM
“Methodism was a branch of the established Church led by the two Wesleys and George Whitfield.
ALL ENGLISH AND ALL ORDAINED MINISTERS OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH.
The Cornish have never been very spiritually discerning and like all celts in need of teutonic leadership.
Before the bigot screams, I am 13th generation West Penwith and probably more.
Read history as it was not through a flawed bias.
I am no lover of the established Church but I would allow freedom of religion and am for the salving of a beautiful building.”