Last service in Bishop of Burnley's tiny iconic shed (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Last service in Bishop of Burnley's tiny iconic shed

2:11pm Friday 3rd July 2009

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A GARDEN shed ‘church’, used by the Bishop of Burnley for the past nine years, is set to be officially retired as one the world’s smallest places of worship.

Not without a little regret, the Right Rev John Goddard has decided to mothball the little wooden chapel which was unveiled to international acclaim in 2000.

Bishop John is relocating from Dean House, which has housed his predecessors for the past 25 years, to the former All Saints vicarage nearby.

He said: “I regret very much not being able to take it with me. But we move on, where our ministry calls us.”

Adorned with an altar and decorated with icons, the chapel was used for intimate services with tiny congregations from time to time.

Bishop John’s move has been prompted by a review of the post’s accommodation needs, with church leaders saying Dean House is ‘a considerable drain on diocesan resources since its purchase’.

The bishop plans to establish an office and chapel in the former vicarage and will also use his private home in Tarleton to receive guests and hold meetings.

He added: “I’m committed to Burnley. I have always worked in urban priority areas.

“To find myself away from Burnley would be a big mistake. Neither does this mean I am retiring. I could well serve for another eight years.

“Nor does this mean there will not be another Bishop of Burnley.

“This time and space will give the diocese time and space to determine the residence of a future bishop.”

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