Are church repairs a price worth paying?

THE future of a historic church hangs in the balance over the cost needed to fix it.

St John’s Church in Birkby needs repairs which are estimated to cost more than £1m over the next decade.

And questions are rightly being raised about how it will be funded.

It comes only two years after repairs costing £750,000 were made – £100,000 being raised by its own congregation.

The Rev Sue Clarke admits it is a big commitment and one which must be made together.

But when only around 20 people turn up to services it’s right they are questioning whether the repairs are worth the money and effort needed.

Times are tough and with church congregations dwindling, maybe some need to be sacrificed to save others.

But if the wider community wants these buildings to remain in use, the community must do far more to support them.