The Ecclesiastical Law Journal Issue 31 (2004), records recent Consistory Court judgements, and concludes that ‘the 19th century outlawing of pure secular uses on consecrated land is now merely part of legal history.’ Thus, uses of church buildings:
1. need not be ecclesiastical in purpose, provided the primary use of the church remains that of worship 2. need not be ancillary to worship 3. need not be pastoral in motivation 4. can be purely commercial 5. can be primarily motivated by the need to raise revenue for the church.
Such uses may not prevent the church from holding worship or set up a conflict with Christian teaching or behaviour.
There are many inspiring examples of rural churches being used for activities far beyond worship and by people beyond the immediate congregation. While it is necessary to bear in mind appropriate conservation of the building
and the need to gain planning permission for some endeavours, these concerns should not prevent asking local communities: ‘how may the church building serve?’ and ‘what if…?’
Ideas for activities in rural church buildings
• Parent & toddler groups • Before and after school clubs • Additional classroom space • Holiday clubs • Lunch clubs • Meeting place for elderly people or the socially/economically disadvantaged • Day care centres for all age groups • Meeting place for self help groups such as alcoholics anonymous • Employment and training advice centres • Space for the provision of vocational and non-vocational training • Cyber cafés • Post office, shop or farmers market • Rehearsal and performance space for music and cultural groups • Art exhibitions
Creative Use of an Unconverted Building – Weekly Farmers’ Market
in Shipbourne Parish Church, Kent The last shop in Shipbourne closed in 1981 and some of the local farmers who had diversified their businesses needed more outlets to sell their produce. The idea for a farmers’ market in the church took 18 months to come to fruition but the first market was held in May 2003. The administrative hurdles to overcome included: health and safety regulations, trading standards, insurance, environmental health and the provision of toilets. The Grade 1 listed church did not have any toilets but the next door pub opened theirs to people visiting the market. Good publicity meant that the first market was attended by several hundred people from all the surrounding villages. Pews were protected with plastic sheeting and table tops were supported across pew backs. Regular stalls now include two greengrocers, local meat, homemade pies, smoked fish, pickles and preserves, cheese and freshly baked cakes and bread. The weekly Thursday morning market attracts around 150 people each week, right through the winter. It provides a valuable service to local people who do not have access to their own transport and provides another outlet for hard pressed farmers.
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