Redditch church to close due to poor attendance

A church in north Worcestershire is to close because of poor attendance.

The Diocese of Worcester said St George's Church in Redditch, part of the Holy Trinity Parish, will be the first in the area to close.

It said <link> <caption>the Church Commissioners</caption> <url href="http://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/structure/churchcommissioners.aspx" platform="highweb"/> </link> had made the decision after a consultation process.

The Bishop of Worcester, John Inge, said it was a business decision which was not designed to save "a lot of money".

He said the Church Commissioners had considered the pros and cons of closing the church, but agreed it should not be kept open in line with the wishes of the church councils of the parish.

The rector of the parish, Canon David Rogers, said: "Sadly there are now too few members attending to carry on the ministry and maintenance."

Mr Rogers said there was another Anglican church half a mile away from St George's Church which has served the community for 140 years.

It said a date for closure was yet to be set.

The diocese said the Garden of Remembrance would still be maintained and public access to graves and memorials would continue.