MP launches working group to save Dodworth St John's Church

Marie Tidball MP, the Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge, has called for Dodworth residents to join her working group to explore how to keep St John's Church in Dodworth serving the community for years to come.

Marie attended the public consultation session, held at Dodworth Methodist Church, on Wednesday 12 August, after constituents alerted her to the church's potential closure via email and social media.

There was an excellent turnout at the public consultation meeting, where representatives from the Church and the Diocese explained the process for the church's closure. Constituents had the opportunity to share their concerns and ask questions about the future of the building, including potential avenues for fundraising and bringing the building into community use.

The Church had petitioned the Diocese to begin the process of closing the church following ballooning repair costs estimated at £250,000, which the Church does not currently have the funds to meet.

Marie spoke to the room and emphasised the strength of feeling about protecting the future of the Grade II-listed building. She then raised the idea of forming a working group, which more than 30 attendees subsequently signed up to join. As part of this work, she and members of the community will explore ways to raise the £250,000 required, working with local tradespeople and organisations to look at the options to secure the building's long-term future while also identifying ways to meet its ongoing costs.

Following the initial public consultation meeting, and further to the strength of feeling in favour of preserving St John’s future, demonstrated at the event, the Diocese has said that no further consultation will take place now until the end of the year, when residents will have the opportunity to comment on proposals either to close the church or to repurpose the building for another use, such as a community hub. In the meantime, Marie will support the working group as it develops a way forward for the church. She will also be writing to the Church of England, the Diocese and relevant Government departments to explore additional funding opportunities and sources of support.

Marie Tidball MP said:

"I'm so proud of our Dodworth community for coming together and showing the Church and the Diocese just how valued St John's Church is. Thanks to our joint efforts, the Diocese is waiting until the end of the year before launching the next consultation on closure options. Without the strength of feeling demonstrated at the meeting, this consultation could have been launched within a matter of weeks."

"We now have the time and the opportunity to see whether our community has the will and the appetite to save the church. We need all hands on deck to save this local gem, so if you would like to get involved, or simply stay updated on my work to save the church, please sign up on my website."

"Thank you to the amazing group of people who have already signed up to help. I'm looking forward to working together!"

To get involved, constituents can sign up for updates or register their interest in the first working group session, which will take place in late September or early October, subject to confirmation:

https://www.marietidball.com/campaigns/save-dodworth-st-john-s-church