Silent protest at 170-year-old Birch church to stop demolition

Colchester City Council leader David King said he would welcome alternative suggestions for the church's future

Scores of people attended a 20-minute silent protest in the hope of saving a 170-year-old church from demolition.

St Peter and St Paul's Church in Birch, near Colchester, was built circa 1850 but has been empty since 1990.

The Diocese of Chelmsford's plan to demolish the Grade II listed building has been met with a backlash from residents.

A diocese spokesperson said it was with "considerable disappointment" there was a lack of funds to restore the church.

The protest was organised by The Birch Church Save our Spire (SOS) group and took place on Wednesday evening.

St Peter and St Paul's Church in Birch dates back to circa 1850

Lynn Bond, speaking to the BBC at the demonstration, recalled how the church congregation hummed the Wedding March when she got married, because the organ was damaged in the hurricane of 1987.

"I would be devastated and I believe it's a landmark for this whole area," said Ms Bond.

Loess Overbury-Tapper, one of the lead campaigners, is hoping to meet the Church of England commissioners next week to discuss possible alternatives.

"I don't think I can express how I felt [when I found out about the demolition] - just so incredibly upset," said Ms Overbury-Tapper.

The Diocese of Chelmsford said it was with "considerable disappointment" there was a lack of funds to restore the church

The Diocese said it was working closely with the community and had worked with commissioners for more than three decades, trying to find an alternative solution.

A memorial garden is planned on the site once the church has been demolished.

The spokesperson added: "A number of solutions were put forward during this period and it is a cause of considerable disappointment for the diocese that none of these solutions was ultimately feasible."

David King, the Liberal Democrat leader of Colchester City Council, said: "The council remains committed to securing the reuse of all heritage assets where a viable and sustainable solution can be found.

"The council would welcome any possibility of a new dialogue between the church commissioners and parishioners and local communities, to explore afresh the possibility of sale and restoration, if that could prove, on marketing, a viable alternative to demolition."

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