The future of St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s has been at the heart of Rattery for generations, but like many rural churches it faces questions about its long-term financial and practical viability and, unless circumstances change, it is likely to close within two to three years.
Rather than wait until decisions are forced upon us from outside, Rattery Parish Council (not the Parochial Church Council) is setting up a small St Mary’s Working Group. The purpose is not to form a committee which simply discusses what ought to happen, nor is it to campaign either to save or to close the church. The job of the Group is to make telephone calls, send emails, find documents, speak to the relevant organisations, obtain figures, sound out public opinion and, most importantly, establish the facts.
The Group will then bring that information together into a clear set of realistic options for St Mary’s. A report with findings, costs and implications will be published in advance of the Parish Assembly on 13th April 2027 when we can discuss St Mary’s future on the basis of reliable information rather than assumptions.
This will be a working group in the literal sense. We are therefore looking for a small number of parishioners prepared to take on one or more research tasks and help to clarify the options. Among the topics that the Group will have to consider are: current finances; building condition & future costs; formal church closure and possible designation as a Festival Church; implications for the churchyard; experience elsewhere; the role of the Parish Council; grants and external funding; non-religious community use and income potential; community ownership/management; public opinion and community support.
To help you do not need to be a churchgoer or an expert. What matters is curiosity, willingness to do some practical investigation, and the ability to report clearly what you find.
If you would like to help, or would like to find out more information, please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council, Sharon Raggett at clerk@ratteryvillage.co.uk
