Last updated at 15:55, Friday, 07 December 2012

A Workington church is at risk of closure because there is not enough money to keep it running.

Richard Pratt: ‘Time is needed for reflection’

Archdeacon of West Cumberland, The Venerable Doctor Richard Pratt, told 21 members of the Northside Church congregation on Sunday that the building, which is about 100 years old, could face closure.

He said that no decision had been made but added: “We had an initial discussion with the congregation saying that we need to think about it.

“They need time to reflect on what has been said.

“Even if the church building closes it doesn’t mean the church closes. We are not giving up on Northside.

“The church building is quite big and relatively expensive. We will find some other way.”

He will meet in the new year with the Northside Parochial Church Council which had flagged up the financial problems.

He said it would be the PCC’s decision whether to close the building.

The Rev Ian Grainger, Vicar at Northside, said: “It’s a difficult situation. The reality is that we are short of suitable options. The Northside Church situation is precarious.

“We will continue to have discussions for as long as we need to.”

He said that St Paul’s Church in Seaton and Northside Community Centre had been discussed as possible alternatives.

But Doreen Murray, Northside Community Centre acting manager, said last month that the centre could close in March because of funding issues.

First published at 14:38, Friday, 07 December 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk