Save our St Saviour's, say residents

Rose Harland • Last updated 11 Sep 2008 12:09 4 Comments

NEIGHBOURS are furious that their local Victorian church --where they have marked births, marriages and deaths - could be knocked down.

St Saviour's in Coley has been in use since 1888, a centrepiece among the red brick houses that sprang up around it, but now church leaders say it no longer meets the needs of the community.

St Saviour's Christian Centre, part of the Elim Pentecostal Church, took over ownership from the Church of England nearly 20 years ago.

It plans to keep the 1990 extension but has applied for planning permission to replace the Victorian part with a new two-storey building to provide more community services including a day nursery, youth centre and counselling service.

The plans for the site, at the corner of Berkeley Avenue and Wolseley Street, would incorporate a book shop and an outdoor play area. Norman Dawson, 83, a retired carpet fitter born in nearby Wolseley Street, said: "I was christened in St Saviour's, I was in the cubs and scouts there and before and after the war I sang in the choir. It's been my life. I hope they change their minds and it doesn't get knocked down."

Ray and Mary Clarke, aged 83 and 79, of St Saviour's Terrace, met at the church's social club and were married there in 1950.

Mrs Clarke said: "My bridesmaid's funeral was held there. We grew up together since we were three-years-old. We used to go there together, morning and evening, every Sunday.

"Three months after our wedding she was killed in a car crash. She was only 19. The church holds a lot of memories. It's very sad that people can come and take over somewhere and tear it down. I think it's awful that they want to do it.

"I hope I'm not around to see it if it ever does happen."

The church's assistant pastor Tayo Joseph said: "What we are looking at is more facilities for the community.

"There are lots of things we want to do.

"We have toddler groups and youth groups for local kids who would otherwise have nothing to do, but we don't have enough room. None of us disputes it's a beautiful building. It's something we'd love to keep if it met our needs, but it does not. We are still open to dialogue."

But residents say they were kept in the dark and Patricia Mann, 65, of Wolsely Street, said: "I'm disgusted with the plans. I think it's awful because it's been covered up. The letters from the church only said that they were going to build a community centre.

"We never knew they were going to pull the old bit down. My son Ian was christened there."

Historian Jean Heward, who has lived in Coley for 30 years, said: "The church was designed by FW Albury, a local architect who had his office in Friar Street. It is a good example of local brickwork for which Reading is famous."

Residents have been collecting signatures for a petition and contacting councillors and MPs, and the deadline for comments has been put back from September 4 until September 23. Contact the council on 0800 626 540.

Do you think the building is holding back community work? Or is it an important historic site that should be saved? Have your say below or write to the Editor.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 11 Sep 08

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