Doomed church saved for young people

PLANS to transform a condemned church into a thriving youth centre have been revealed.

St John's United Reformed Church, in London Road, looks set to become the second Bexhill church saved from demolition within a month, following talks begun in Feburary between Rother District and East Sussex County Councillor Michael Ensor and the Rev Andrew Berry.

Three weeks ago Church Commissioners withdrew plans to knock down St Barnabas Church, Cantelupe Road, after a vocal campaign from the congregation, local residents and national groups such as the Victorian Society.

The future of St John's is dependent on Cllr Ensor closing negotiations over the lease, due to be signed on September 29.

If all goes to plan, Bexhill will gain a valuable hub for teenagers and young people, including a drop-in centre, open stage for band practice sessions and music and film screenings.

The design encompasses the Victoria Hall, behind the sanctuary, which would be used for activites such as climbing, basketball, music concerts and plays.

Cllr Ensor said: "I've had so many ideas over the years, wanting to do a thing like this, and for some reason or another it doesn't happen.

"I'm trying to fill the gap. Schools do a fantastic job for their age groups, and the DLWP have got great connections with schools. But after that, and outside school, what is there for young people to do?

"It's a big question. I've been asking it at both County and Rother. There's a big hole, and let's see if we as a society can support the young people of our town."

The congregation of St John's migrated to the town's second United Reformed Church, St George's in Cantelupe Road, following a damaged boiler, dwindling attendance and mounting maintenance costs in 2007.

A long consultation ended with the URC Synod being granted planning permission to raze St John's, replacing it with 14 apartments and underground car parking. St George's would also be sold.

The funds raised would pay for a new church, octagonal in design, with offices surrounding a ground floor sanctuary on the grassy area in front of St George's in Cantelupe Road.