Petition to protect Coventry church Christmas star backed by hundreds

People are petitioning the city council to protect the original section of Hearsall Baptist Church in Coventry

More than 500 people have signed a petition calling for a 1928 church building which displays a Christmas star on top of a tower to be protected.

Hearsall Baptist Church, in Coventry, said buildings and land would be put on the market, following a decision taken on financial grounds.

People are petitioning the council to "locally list" and protect part of the site from any future demolition.

The authority stated it had not had a formal application to locally list it.

The petition, which was started on Saturday and runs until 17 February, said the council was being urged to "actively work with partners in the public and community sectors to preserve community use for this building".

The church said services were currently held in a building established in the 1960s.

'No choice'

The community building erected in 1928 - featuring the tower, as well as the star from November to January - was built as a church school.

One of the deacons, Nick Leonard, said: "We have no choice, because we couldn't afford to keep it running.

"Since the closure became public knowledge, there have been several approaches to the trustees with possible ways forward, which we will be considering as soon as possible."

A wide variety of uses, including community use, had been proposed, he added.

The city council said it was aware of the petition and concerns around the sale.

A spokesperson stated at this stage the authority had not received an application to list the building.

They added: "We would encourage all residents interested in listing a building to visit our website to check the criteria.

"[These] would include meeting the government's definition for being capable of being a heritage asset, as well as other elements including artistic interest, community interest and evidence relating to the significance of the building."

The church said it would merge with Holyhead Road United Reformed Church at the latter's site and be called Sherbourne Community Church, named after the nearby river.