News from the Blackburn Diocese

The Church of England in Lancashire

Church Court over Removal of Pews

The Vicar of Fence and Higham, in Lancashire, the Rev Richard Adams, outlined the background to a church court being convened on Saturday 10th May at 10.00 am over the removal of pews in St Anne’s Church, Fence.

“The whole point of removing just two rows of pews has been to encourage growing links with our parish community, which has seen increasing numbers of people attending St Anne’s,” he said.

“Particularly encouraging has been the growing numbers of families with young children at our monthly family services, and generally the Church Council has been looking at ways of improving facilities in our church building and making it more flexible.”

A temporary ‘faculty’ (the church equivalent of planning permission) enabled pews to be removed to create new space at the rear of Church, whilst leaving the rest untouched, for children’s buggies, extra options for wheelchair users, extra room for toddlers during services and ‘hospitality space’ after services.

“This 15-month experiment showed us that the idea worked for all those purposes and was valued by those using that area,” said Mr Adams. “This led the Church Council (PCC) to apply to make this a permanent arrangement.”

Opposition to the plans, on historic and aesthetic grounds, could not be resolved within the parish, so the Diocesan Chancellor (a judge) has called a consistory court where all cases could be heard, said Mr Adams.

“The PCC recognises the importance and strength of these feelings,” he said. “But for the future of the church we should accommodate the needs of the people who are beginning to attend in increasing numbers, and who represent the future of the church as well as a significant part of its present.”

Ends

For further information: please contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : 01282 617 316

Statement issued by Martyn Halsall, Blackburn Diocesan Communications: 01900 824 555.