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Preston parishioners hope to stop Brindle St Joseph's RC Church closure Preston parishioners hope to stop Brindle St Joseph's RC Church closure
(about 4 hours later)
Bren Cooke says Brindle St Joseph's is "not just a parish" Bren Cook says Brindle St Joseph's is "not just a parish"
A group of parishioners who have begun a fight to save their historical church from closure have said they are "a network that is dependent on each other".A group of parishioners who have begun a fight to save their historical church from closure have said they are "a network that is dependent on each other".
Brindle St Joseph's RC Church in Preston is set to close at the end of August after Ampleforth Abbey in Yorkshire - which has run the church for the last 350 years - announced it would recall its staff.Brindle St Joseph's RC Church in Preston is set to close at the end of August after Ampleforth Abbey in Yorkshire - which has run the church for the last 350 years - announced it would recall its staff.
The Abbey said the decision had been due to "manpower" because of a declining number of priests and it had handed the running of the parish to the Archdiocese of Liverpool, who had decided it could not take it on.The Abbey said the decision had been due to "manpower" because of a declining number of priests and it had handed the running of the parish to the Archdiocese of Liverpool, who had decided it could not take it on.
Parishioner Bren Cooke said the closure announcement was "like everyone in the congregation had been slapped". Parishioner Bren Cook said the closure announcement was "like everyone in the congregation had been slapped".
Mr Cooke told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It's not just a parish, it's a community." Mr Cook told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It's not just a parish, it's a community."
"It's a group of people who know each other," he added."It's a group of people who know each other," he added.
The church has been a continuous place of worship since 1721The church has been a continuous place of worship since 1721
Another of the congregation, Mick Gardener, said: "Our complaint is we weren't given a chance to come up with alternatives, and there are alternatives. Another of the congregation, Mick Gardner, said: "Our complaint is we weren't given a chance to come up with alternatives, and there are alternatives.
"It's a really complicated web of activity around here - there's the church, the parish hall, there's people living out there."It's a really complicated web of activity around here - there's the church, the parish hall, there's people living out there.
"It's a network that is dependent on each other.""It's a network that is dependent on each other."
The church had been a site of continuous worship since 1721, he added.The church had been a site of continuous worship since 1721, he added.
Mr Gardener said the parishioners were pushing for a "proper dialogue" with the Abbey and the Archdiocese. Mr Gardner said the parishioners were pushing for a "proper dialogue" with the Abbey and the Archdiocese.
"Normally churches do have a period of consultation, we've not had that," he said."Normally churches do have a period of consultation, we've not had that," he said.
However, secretary for the Ampleforth Abbey Trust Liam Kelly said parishioners had been told in 2011 that the parish priest would be the last one the Abbey could provide.However, secretary for the Ampleforth Abbey Trust Liam Kelly said parishioners had been told in 2011 that the parish priest would be the last one the Abbey could provide.
"The reality is personnel, manpower - the number of priests is declining," he said."The reality is personnel, manpower - the number of priests is declining," he said.
"We do not have people to staff, to manage these parishes."We do not have people to staff, to manage these parishes.
"We need monks at Ampleforth Abbey.""We need monks at Ampleforth Abbey."
Suzanne Roberts, who has been teaching dance classes at the church's associated hall for 43 years, said its closure could have an impact on the mental health of the community.Suzanne Roberts, who has been teaching dance classes at the church's associated hall for 43 years, said its closure could have an impact on the mental health of the community.
She said the hall, which also hosts classes like karate, "provides a happy and safe place for youth to go".She said the hall, which also hosts classes like karate, "provides a happy and safe place for youth to go".
Suzanne Roberts has been teaching dance classes at the parish hall for 43 yearsSuzanne Roberts has been teaching dance classes at the parish hall for 43 years
Ms Roberts said her dance students were "absolutely devastated".Ms Roberts said her dance students were "absolutely devastated".
Mr Kelly said the next step would be "a discussion between the Abbey and the Archbishop of Liverpool", but that could not happen until after the new Archbishop was installed on 27 May.Mr Kelly said the next step would be "a discussion between the Abbey and the Archbishop of Liverpool", but that could not happen until after the new Archbishop was installed on 27 May.
"Really, we all share the same goal which is seeking sustainable, feasible, realistic pastoral provision for the people of St Joseph's Brindle.""Really, we all share the same goal which is seeking sustainable, feasible, realistic pastoral provision for the people of St Joseph's Brindle."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.