Nestled in a tranquil corner of Hanley, the imposing edifice of St John’s Church stands as a testament to 18th-century architecture. However, its future is now shrouded in uncertainty due to a covenant that has recently come under scrutiny. I had the privilege of conversing with Sarah Ahmed, a local community leader and spokesperson for the Zamir Foundation, to gain deeper insight into the unfolding situation.
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“The Church of England asserts that plans to convert a listed former church into a mosque are unfeasible due to a covenant on the building,” Sarah began as we settled into a modest café near St John’s. “We acquired the church with the vision of transforming it into a mosque and community centre, providing various services beneficial to everyone in Hanley.”
St John’s Church, a Grade II-listed building, ceased functioning as a place of worship decades ago. It was closed in the 1980s due to structural issues, and its graveyard was exhumed to make way for the Potteries Shopping Centre. Since then, the building has seen numerous repurposing attempts, including plans for a restaurant and an antiques centre, but none have achieved lasting success.
“Last week, Stoke-on-Trent City Council approved our planning application to revert St John’s to a place of worship,” Sarah continued. “We were elated, believing we could finally advance with our plans. However, we were then informed about the restrictive covenant.”
A covenant on the building, imposed by the Church of England, restricts its use as a place of worship to Christianity alone. This covenant was established when the property was sold by the Diocese of Lichfield to Church Converts in 2009 and has persisted ever since. The Church Commissioners for England have maintained, “We support former churches being used for community purposes, but a restrictive covenant prohibits the use of the building as a place of worship other than as a church, and the Commissioners have explained this to the owner.”
Sarah sighed, “We were aware of the covenant, but we were hopeful that the Church of England might agree to a deed of variation. Unfortunately, they’ve made it clear they won’t.”
The situation is further complicated by the potential for legal action to enforce the covenant. “It’s a challenging position to be in,” Sarah admitted. “We have plans to use St John’s for various community services, including a museum, a multi-faith library, and a women’s only gym. These are all services that the community desperately needs.”
However, proposed internal alterations, such as partition walls, have been abandoned after the council informed the Zamir Foundation that such work would require listed building consent. The Zamir Foundation’s plans have not gone without community reaction. “St John’s has been a part of Hanley’s history since 1788,” Sarah said, her voice tinged with both frustration and hope. “It’s a beautiful building with immense potential to serve the community again. We envisioned it as a beacon of inclusivity and support. The mosque would be a part of that, but not the entire story.”
Local residents’ opinions are divided. Some support the Zamir Foundation’s vision, while others understand the Church of England’s stance on preserving the building’s original religious purpose. Despite the setbacks, Sarah remains resolute. “We’re not giving up,” she stated firmly. “We’re exploring all our options, including potentially challenging the covenant legally. But more importantly, we’re engaging in dialogue with the community and the Church of England to find a solution that honours both the building’s heritage and our community’s needs.”
As we concluded our meeting, it was evident that the situation surrounding St John’s Church is a complex one, entangled in legal, historical, and community concerns. The Zamir Foundation remains steadfast in their vision, while the Church of England is resolute in maintaining the covenant. The future of St John’s is uncertain, but one thing remains clear: its story is far from over.
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