Congregation mounts campaign to save church from demolition

8:44am Sunday 18th May 2008

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A congregation in West Finchley has come out in force to protest against the demolition of its church.

The worshippers at St John's Christian Spiritualist Church, in Woodbery Grove, risk losing their place of prayer, after landowner Cavendish and Gloucester applied to knock it down to build a two-storey office.

If planning permission is granted, a smaller, single-storey building will be constructed behind the houses on Woodberry Grove to replace the old church, but parishioners say this is not good enough.

Nearly 300 people handed in signed letters to Barnet Council on Monday, protesting against the proposals which were lodged in March. Nearly a quarter of the 100 residents consulted by Barnet Council have formally objected. The two-month consulation period ended on Sunday.

The church's president, Tracy Antonio, 45, said: "This church is so popular and so friendly, but trying to keep it going is proving so hard.

"The owners want their land, which I understand, but we need to hold onto it for the community's sake.

"We don't want to attack the landlord. They are in their space and we are in ours.

"But we desperately want our church to remain, and believe the community wants it too."

Trustee Alan Whitby, 74, believes the church, built in 1931, holds historical significance.

"This church has been here since the Thirties," he said. "During the war we were bombed all around Tally Ho Corner and St John's Ambulance Service used the church as a centre, so it has a lot of history.

"Plus it is a spiritual home for so many people, with a wonderful community spirit."

Medium Christine Carter Stephenson, from Whetstone, added: "It is sad because the church provides for such a wide variety of people."

The church relies on volunteer donations and income from healing services, which allows it to save between £200 to £300 a month.

Cavendish and Gloucester declined to comment.

A Barnet Council spokeswoman said the council was "considering the feedback and the application" and would make a decision in due course.