Methodist congregation looks to move out of ‘dark and dingy’ church

A County Methodist congregation is looking to move out of its ‘dark and dingy’ church and into a new multipurpose home.

Reverend Phil Warrey, the superintendent minister, told town councillors that the their church on The Homend in Ledbury was no longer fit for purpose.

Speaking at a Ledbury Town Council meeting held at the church on December 6, he said the building had a severe damp problem and that they were in the process of selling the property.

He said: “We thought as you were meeting here it would be appropriate to give a presentation about where we are and our plans for the sale of the building and its future use.

“And maybe seek some assistance in identifying a new home for our worshiping congregation.”

He explained that there has been a place of worship on the site of the church since 1849 and that the first case of dampness recorded in vestuary was in 1890.

“The building was built into a hill and there was five millimetres of water on the floor of the vestuary,” he said.

“It’s quite an aesthetic building from the outside but not a very usable building for the modern congregation and it is not an easy building to heat.”

He said it was ‘dank, dark and dingy’ and the challenge had become more than the congregation could cope with.

Church leaders decided to put the building up for sale in 2017 and are currently in talks with a prospective buyer.

“We hope it will go brought in the new year,” he said.

“We will seek a new home in the town centre itself but may have to look to the new developments.”

Mr Warrey said they would aim to build a multipurpose building which would allow them to partner with others in the community and expand on the service they provided.

He also said this could allow them to provide a better meeting place and to provide more meals for the elderly.