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.
What do you think? Let us know on our website middlewichguardian.co.uk.
Your Say YourGuardian
Jessica, Middlewich says...
5:21pm Sun 11 May 08
Christine malkin, Middlewich says...
2:42pm Fri 16 May 08
Two, his knowledge of history is a bit lacking if he thinks that pews existed in Norman times! Ours are Victorian, neither historical nor attractive.
Jessica, Middlewich says...
12:03am Wed 21 May 08
Your sayYourGuardian
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Andy Bailey, says...
8:04am Sun 11 May 08
I understand like many other churches across the country, St Michael's church is struggling with attendees and the vicar needs to look at something different to attract new people. But taking out the pews I feel is not the answer, because people dont attend a church because of the seating, they attend a church because of their beliefs and what can only be considered a long standing tradition of worship and part of this is the way the flock is seated.
I do applaud Ian Bishop in looking outside the box to encourage new parishioners, but do feel that this step is not acceptable and would appeal for other options to be considered and leave the pews in place. Especially when I believe they have been in place since the church was built and such drastic action should not happen on our watch, please rethink Ian.