Clash of tradition at Craven's oldest church (From Craven Herald)

Clash of tradition at Craven's oldest church

8:29am Friday 22nd June 2007 in

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MODERNISATION plans for a grade one listed church have been described as vandalism by objectors.

For the second time in four years, custodians of St Andrew's Church, Kildwick, want to bring the church up to date by providing "wide ranging community facilities".

But some villagers say the plans - which will mean the removal of all the church pews and their replacement with "flexible seating" - will turn the church into a featureless barn.

And they claim that the majority of the village is against the plans but has been drowned out by a new, modern wave of "Happy Clappers".

“If the changes go ahead, there will be no visitors and no weddings. It will just look like a big hall and there will be ramifications for the village.”

The Herald understands that a number of objections have been raised and the Bradford Diocese has extended the time for people to comment on the plans from June 3 to June 30 "to ensure people have the widest opportunity to have all the information".

The church is the oldest in Craven, dating back to 950 and most of the building dates back to the 14th century.

One couple, who wished not to be named, but who have lived in the village for 40 years, said what made the church so special could be lost forever.

"They've used a lot of flowery words to put across what they want to do, but never said anything about ripping out all the pews," they claimed.

They also fear that by creating a more usable space for the community, the village's two other public venues will be put at risk.

"It will be a huge, empty space and if it's successful, it would undermine other facilities in the village. We've got the parish rooms and the village institute which has been refurbished and desperately needs people to use it."

They believed no-one in the village actually supported the changes to the church and were unaware of the extent of the alterations.

"Our concern is that people are generally unaware of the extent of the radical nature of what is being proposed," said the couple.

They added that they were not against some change, but would like to see the proposals toned down.

"We would like to see something less radical. To take some of the pews out, but leave others and leave the Lady Chapel, which is beautiful.

"If the changes go ahead, there will be no visitors and no weddings. It will just look like a big hall and there will be ramifications for the village."

Last month, the church held open evenings to discuss its plans.

The Lang Kirk 21 Project, which will cost £750,000, follows a consultation where people were asked what they wanted from their church. The plans for the church include the installation of flexible seating, a meeting room, crèche, a kitchen, toilets and a disabled access.

Tim Wilson, chairman of St Andrew's Church Building Development Group, said: "Change always brings objection and we recognised this was inevitable and that people might have strong feelings about some aspects of the proposed re-ordering.

"The question about removal of the pews is a difficult issue and I am not sure there is a right or wrong. Whilst a number of people - mainly non-worshippers at the church - are objecting to the proposed removal of the pews from the church, the majority are fully accepting of the need for the church to move forward."

He said in addition to the open meetings the full plans and illustrative brochures had been on display in the church for seven months and there had also been regular updates in the parish magazine.

"The scheme has been designed by a respected architectural practice with considerable ecclesiastical experience and we have consulted with English Heritage, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Council for the Care of Churches and others," said Mr Wilson.

Kildwick's vicar, the Rev Robin Figg, said the church was trying to develop in ways to complement other nearby facilities.

It enjoyed strong links with Kildwick Primary School and a good relationship with the local institute.

The decision now lies with the Consistory Court, a formal legal process for the Church of England.

Comments should be sent to Peter Foskett, Diocesan Registry, 14 Piccadilly, Bradford, BD1 3LX.