(2 of 2)
The shutdown of these ancient churches—some of which date back to Norman times—disturbs many people, including nonbelievers who are worried about the random destruction of England's architectural heritage. Until now, however, very little official action has been taken to salvage these reliquaries. One promising new method is the reorganization of autonomous parish clerics into "group ministries," which enable several priests to band together and serve a number of depopulated parishes.
Typical of the 60 group ministries formed so far is one conducted by two energetic young priests in the South Ormsby area. Rotating services among 15 parishes, they transport the faithful to and from worship in a secondhand minibus (which they bought from the proceeds of a rummage sale). They have organized a group choir and Sunday school, and publish a magazine called The Tennyson Chronicle (after the poet laureate, who was born in their district). Such activities would be impossible if the priests had only two or three active parishioners, instead of the 30 or more who now attend services.
Off into Retirement. Recently, Parliament passed a measure that actively encourages the formation of more such ministries. Previously, an elderly vicar could hang on to his parish even if no one ever attended his services. Now he can be compelled to join a group ministry or be packed off into retirement. The pastoral measure also establishes a ten-man advisory board to determine what churches should be demolished, preserved or put to some other use. Even this new concern, however, has not entirely erased the melancholy over the decay of England's country churches. "An empty country church," says the Rev. Philip Goodrich, vicar of a commuter-belt church near London, reflecting the sentiments of many Britons, "is somehow a much sadder phenomenon than an empty urban church. Nostalgia dogs us."