Community heritage events to help secure future of ‘Cathedral’ of the Lune Valley
Heritage events are being held in June to help secure the future of St Wilfrid’s Church in Melling.
St Wilfrid’s church was once known as the ‘Cathedral’ of the Lune valley, but sadly this beautiful Grade I listed building is currently under threat of closure due to a declining congregation and the rising maintenance costs of keeping such a large historic building open.
A small but keen group of community volunteers are desperately trying to support the building’s maintenance needs and reverse the request of the Parochial Church Council to ask the Blackburn Diocese to explore the church’s potential closure.
As part of their efforts Debbie Shannon an amateur local historian will give a history talk about the early history of the village in Melling Village Institute at 7pm on Tuesday June 16 and a Heritage Open Day will also be held there and at Saint Wilfrid’s Church on Saturday June 20 from 11am-4pm.
St Wilfrid’s will host heritage displays exploring church history and its importance to village life, with the joyful accompaniment of bellringing, some organ music and the Melling Strummers: a merry band of folk who meet weekly to enjoy to playing their guitars together.
At 2pm on the Heritage Open Day there will be a special concert of 18th Century rural church music and West Gallery choir music by the Lancaster-based Gladly Solemn Sound Choir.
In the Village Institute there will be further heritage displays examining rural life and the social history of the parish, along with delicious refreshments served throughout the day.
All donations received during the events will go towards St Wilfrid’s Building Trust with a view to helping to keep the church open.
Sue Flowers, a member of the group and local resident whose family have lived in the village for generations said: “St Wilfrid’s is of great social, cultural and historical importance to us, we want people to know that it is under threat of closure and work with anyone who is interested in ensuring its survival.”
The organisers are very keen to hear from anyone with a connection to the church who may have attended a christening, confirmation wedding or funeral, or even have relations buried in the graveyard.
To find out more or to get involved in saving St Wilfrid’s please contact [email protected].