[WillowTheWhisp]

Perhaps the closure of churches has more to do with the number of people who attend them than the financial status of the C of E.

I do hope that whatever is done to St. James' doesn't change the outward appearance as it is such a pleasant building there in the centre of town. Presumably if it is a listed building then they won't be able to alter much.

If they have a small congregation it makes sense to "shrink" the worship area and make use of the rest of the interior space by creating other rooms for other purposes within the existing framework.

That is what Cannon St Baptist church did when they sold off the old Willow Street Sunday School. The chapel/church part was huge with a balcony which was never used and it was subsequently altered inside to accomodate the schoolrooms.

What's happening to Cannon St anyway? Some time ago we were being told it was being closed down but this summer my daughter has been invited to join their youth club? She didn't accept because she already goes to one.

I may be behind the times but I thought Father David Lyon was the vicar of St Peter's. Has he moved or does he have responsibility for both?

I don't think it's uncommon for C of E vicars to be addressed as Father. He looks very priestlike. They have rosary beads for sale in Blackburn Cathedral and that's C of E but very similar to RC.