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Rossendale vicar in church closure row set to quit next month

12:17pm Tuesday 10th January 2012 in Bacup Photograph of the Author By Vanessa Cornall, Reporter

CAMPAIGN Christ Church with St John the Evangelist CAMPAIGN Christ Church with St John the Evangelist

A VICAR at the centre of a church closure row is to leave his post.

Rev David Woodall, vicar at Christ Church with St John the Evangelist, in Bacup, is due to leave the town’s last remaining C of E church next month.

His departure follows a campaign to keep the 157-year-old church open after the Diocese of Manchester started a two-year review of its buildings.

The possibility of closing the church and using Central Methodist Church in Burnley Road, Bacup, is currently being explored.

The Facebook campaign group, which has almost 500 members, fears that Rev Woodall leaving his post will affect the future of the church.

Colin Allum, campaign leader said: “Having no vicar definitely makes Christ Church more vulnerable to closure.”

The Save Christ Church group is trying to raise £200,000 for building work needed on the church to prove to the diocese the congregation is behind the church.

Rev David Woodall is moving to run three churches in Rochdale to become Priest in Charge of St Michael Bamford, St Paul Norden and St James Ashworth.

He said: “I have enjoyed working with the diverse communities in this area. We have worshipped together: celebrating the good, and supporting each other at times of grief.”

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Since the launch of the campaign to save the church the congregation has more than doubled to around 100.

A spokesman from the Diocese of Manchester said: “A decision will be made by the church commissioners shortly.

“Rev David Woodall’s departure will not affect this process.”

Comments(10)

makaveli96 says...
12:39pm Tue 10 Jan 12

If you apologise for Henry 8ths sins I might be able to sort something with the big man for you!

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AndyD123 says...
12:56pm Tue 10 Jan 12

Churches have to close. Simple as that. The older, church going, generations are dying out and the younger generations are far less religious.

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juanbbien says...
2:56pm Tue 10 Jan 12

What exactly does Religion do,you attend some cold old building,listen to some fairy story's pray to what ever throw some money in a plate,are glad when the last hyme is sung,and shuffle out,happy that's all over,for what ever reason you attended,ie,getting your children into a particular schools criteria,making your self feel better for an hour,being part of the religious one upmanship club,until you get above your station with the other members,who then fall out with you.no thanks.Religion as caused more deaths and upset than anything else.

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Thowd Codger says...
3:07pm Tue 10 Jan 12

It has long been my belief that the buildings presently used as places of worship would serve a much more useful purpose in society if they were converted into legalised brothels. Just think of the social ills that would cure in one fell swoop. Please think about it before you rant.

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mavrick says...
4:59pm Tue 10 Jan 12

It would be a sin if the church was let go and left unused.there is a lot of history in the old churches that should be preserved. Then convert the church to socialy affordable flats for out priced people.

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disgusted tunbridge wells says...
9:10pm Tue 10 Jan 12

We are all going to hell

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captain ian says...
11:47pm Tue 10 Jan 12

The biggest problem in this country today is that very few people go to church, this has led to a lack of morals in this country, Young children going to sunday school every week would make a massive difference, because they would be taught about the love of jesus, and the teachings of jesus which would install morals in them for life... Just a thought.

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nice person says...
12:11am Wed 11 Jan 12

disgusted tunbridge wells wrote:
We are all going to hell
We are all already there....

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captain ian says...
6:04am Wed 11 Jan 12

disgusted tunbridge wells wrote:
We are all going to hell
JESUS is the way the truth and the life no one goes to the father except through Jesus, please ask him into your life today.

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captain ian says...
6:04am Wed 11 Jan 12

disgusted tunbridge wells wrote:
We are all going to hell
JESUS is the way the truth and the life no one goes to the father except through Jesus, please ask him into your life today.

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