Vicar gets the support of his congregation
7:15am Friday 9th May 2008
MIDDLEWICH residents have rallied round to support their vicar.
Members of the public have defended Rev Ian Bishop over plans to re-order St Michael's Church and have asked people opposing the proposals to give him a chance'.
Glenys Blunn, of Allcock Terrace, said: "Why don't people just give the man a chance and listen to what he's saying?
"He's a lovely, caring and considerate man and in my opinion he's one of the best vicars Middlewich has ever had."
Church member Christine Malkin posted on the Middlewich Guardian website forum: "We as a congregation love our church and our rector and wish to support him in his desire to make the church welcoming to everyone and to bring the good news of the Gospel to all the people of Middlewich." The comments come following an outcry from some church members who have opposed plans to alter the church's interior and replace the pews with chairs.
Mrs Blunn added: "It's not like he's saying he's going to knock the building down, does it really matter whether it's a chair or a pew, things can't always stay the same forever."
Resident Joan Hall told the Guardian: "St Michael's is a beautiful building but needs to be adapted for the needs of the present parishioners.
"We could keep a beautiful building but see a dwindling attendance which seems to be happening in many churches or we can have a flourishing, caring, commited congregation in the beautiful church, which is what we have at present.
"I am sure that whatever the rector and PCC decide, it will be in the best interests of St Michael's Church and the Middlewich community."
Despite the show of support for the proposals more than 60 church members have set up a Society for the Preservation of St Michael's in a bid to protect the building from these alterations.
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