After serving the community for more than 160 years, Shanklin Methodist Church is set to close later this year following a vote by its members to cease worshipping.
Opened in 1864, Shanklin Methodist Church – located on Regent Street – is open daily between 10:00-16:00 from April to October, with Sunday worship taking place each week at 10:30. The current Minister is Rev John Izzard.
Island Echo understands that the size of the congregation currently sits at around 20 or so committed regulars, but with utility bills and insurance costs, as well as regular contributions to the circuit – known as the ‘assessment’ – all needed to be paid, the coffers are running low.
It is also believed that a new boiler is needed and there are major repairs required to maintain the church roof, costs that will have to be fronted by the establishment. With this in mind, members made the reluctant decision to close the church, by means of a vote, at a meeting on Thursday 13th February.
Although no exact timeframe has yet been agreed, it has been suggested that the church will close before the Autumn.
Shanklin Methodist is part of the Isle of Wight Methodist Circuit, a geographical collection of churches which include; Arreton, Bembridge, Binstead, Brading, Brighstone and Shorwell, East Cowes, Freshwater, Godshill, Gunville, Lake, Newport, Niton, Ryde, Sandown, Wootton and Wroxall.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Methodist Circuit has said:
“Members of Shanklin Methodist voted to cease worshipping at the church at a meeting that took place on Thursday 13th February. This vote will now be put to the Circuit Meeting who will consider how best to go forward with the process. No time frame has yet been agreed.
“Operating and maintaining a church is incredibly hard work and increasingly expensive as costs rise. This vote was made by the members themselves and we thank them for their commitment over many years.”
A member of the congregation, who wishes to remain anonymous, has told Island Echo:
“This is a time of great sadness for the members, all of whom are elderly and many have been attending the church for most of their lives.”
Would make a very nice house
Surely not another Wetherspoons on the cards.
What happened to respect for the Houses of God!
Amen
Ahhhh, Wetherspoons, wonderful addition to the high street!
What a shame. Lovely big building. Perhaps they should look into converting it into an HMO for the homeless. Could raise some dosh and spread the gospel at the same time. Increase the flock under the Isiah 58:7 banner, so to speak.
The world is becoming a more and more a godless place something we will all live to regret