It has been more than three years since a service was held at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in the rural mid Norfolk village of Wendling.
Like many churches in small, rural villages, dwindling congregations and diminishing numbers of active church members have led to the decline of St Peter and St Paul’s – with its gates closed and doors locked.
Earlier this year, Revd Miriam Fife hoped the church could be saved by welcoming congregations back through its doors for services once more – but she has now said the church’s “sad state of affairs” has showed no sign of improvement.
READ MORE: Saving Wendling church in Norfolk - closed for three years
The Diocese of Norwich, which covers Norfolk and Waveney, has said a lack of church funding is why St Peter and St Paul’s, and many other Norfolk churches, is struggling.
“It is not widely understood that the responsibility for maintaining a church building actually falls to the parish congregation through their parochial church council,” a report by The Diocese of Norwich’s independent church buildings commission taskforce, published in May this year, found.
READ MORE: Norfolk churches need extra help to keep them open - report
Each parochial church council is a charity, with members being trustees of the charity.
These trustees are legally responsible for the church’s finances and the maintenance of its assets – including the building.
“In the more isolated rural areas with diminishing congregations and a very small number of active church members, it is a struggle,” the report found.
“This system, in many cases, relies on the good will and energy of an increasingly ageing number of volunteers.”
The Diocese of Norwich said St Peter and St Paul’s is difficult to reach and is tucked away – close to, but not easily accessible from, the A47.
However, Revd Andrea Woods, interim team vicar with the Launditch and Upper Nar team benefice, which includes St Peter and St Paul’s, reiterated the Wendling church is open for life events, such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
“It may not be used for Sunday worship or unlocked every day, but it is still legally open as a parish church and safe to enter," she said.
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