Church of England Blocks Conversion of Historic Grade II-Listed Church into Mosque

[Social Media]

 

The Church of England has intervened to prevent the transformation of a disused Grade II-listed church into a mosque, using a legal clause to halt the conversion. An Islamic charity recently obtained planning permission to convert the Georgian church of St John’s in Hanley, Staffordshire, into a Muslim place of worship. However, this decision was met with resistance from the Church of England, which exercised a restrictive covenant that prohibits the building from being used for worship by any religion other than Christianity.

 

The restrictive covenant was originally placed on the church when the Diocese of Lichfield sold the building in 2009. Constructed in 1788, St John’s had fallen into disuse since the 1980s due to concerns about its structural integrity. After years of neglect, the church was repurposed as a café and antiques center before being sold to the Zamir Foundation. The charity was granted permission by Stoke-on-Trent City Council on August 15 to turn the church into a mosque. The Zamir Foundation’s plans for the site were ambitious, including the installation of a museum, a multi-faith library, and a women’s-only gym alongside the mosque.

 

Despite these community-focused plans, the Church of England’s stance was firm. A spokesman for the Church Commissioners, who manage the investments and assets of the Anglican church, stated that the church’s owners had been informed that the proposed change would not be allowed. “The Church Commissioners are aware that planning permission has been granted for changes to St John’s Hanley,” the spokesman said. “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.”

 

The charity had already begun preliminary work on the site before planning permission was granted. A bulldozer was used to clear and level the grounds for a car park, and internal partition walls and washing facilities were installed. However, these modifications were subsequently removed at the request of the council because the necessary permissions had not been secured at that time.

 

Zabi Zamir, a spokesman for the Zamir Foundation, previously expressed optimism about the planning permission, describing it as a “positive step towards enhancing community services and fostering inclusivity.” However, the charity now faces the reality that the Church of England could take legal action if the restrictive covenant is ignored and the conversion into a mosque proceeds.

 

The case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the repurposing of historic religious buildings in the UK. Across the country, former churches have been transformed into a wide variety of new uses, some of which bear little resemblance to their original purpose. For example, other former churches now house climbing walls, such as St Marks in Newcastle and St Benedict’s in West Gorton, Manchester. Some have been turned into nightclubs, including the Grade II-listed St Andrew’s in Bournemouth and Salisbury’s Chapel nightclub, which was originally built in the 19th century as a Pentecostal church. The chapel of the former Claybury Asylum in Woodford, North London, now serves as a swimming pool and sauna, while Nottingham’s Grade II-listed High Pavement Chapel was converted into a bar in 1998.

 

The repurposing of religious buildings often sparks controversy, especially when proposals involve significant changes to the original use, such as converting a church into a mosque. While many of these conversions are seen as innovative ways to preserve historic architecture and provide community spaces, they can also clash with the legal and cultural heritage associated with the buildings. The Church of England’s position in this case underscores the complexities involved in balancing the preservation of religious heritage with the evolving needs of diverse communities.

 

Both the Zamir Foundation and Stoke-on-Trent City Council were approached for comment on the matter but have yet to publicly respond. The situation remains tense, with the potential for legal battles ahead if the restrictive covenant is not respected. As communities across the UK continue to find new purposes for historic religious buildings, the case of St John’s Hanley serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between respecting the past and embracing the future.

 

Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-08-30

 

 

 

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[Emdog]

Christians and Muslims worship the same imaginary god, they both say they come from the same Jewish roots.

Pepsi or Coke?

[Foxx]

2 hours ago, Emdog said:

Christians and Muslims worship the same imaginary god, they both say they come from the same Jewish roots.

 

Factually incorrect. 

 

Muslims worship Allah who was originally a pagan moon good; the Christian god was never a pagan moon god.  Mohammed repurposed Allah as the sole deity - it was easier for him than making up a new god.

 

Islam doesn't have Jewish roots.  The Koran is the literal word of Allah.  (It is curious, however, that bits of the Koran seem to be based upon badly remembered parts of Jewish scripture.  It's almost as if Mohammed wanted the Jews to accept him as their prophet which, of course, is why Mohammed, when the Jews of the Banu Qurayza refused to accept him as such, had all the teenage boys and men slaughtered and the women and children taken as slaves and sex slaves.)

[retarius]

Racism pure and simple. The UK has always been a racist country.

[Gobbler]

5 minutes ago, retarius said:

Racism pure and simple. The UK has always been a racist country.

It would help if you learned to think before you write. Prove to anyone it is racist.  How about preserving our culture over Muslims who openly say they will take over the country? Good on whomever at the Church of England to block the sale.

[Callmeishmael]

I have no objection to a community building their own mosque.  But I don't see any reason to through away 500 years of history.  This building was built by Anglican worshipers, Muslim worshipers can build their own church.

 

[BigStar]

 

9 minutes ago, retarius said:

Racism pure and simple. The UK has always been a racist country.

 

Cultural preservation, good on 'em for making the UK's last stand.

[Purdey]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

exercised a restrictive covenant that prohibits the building from being used for worship by any religion other than Christianity.

If they have this legal right there isn't much to discuss.

[mokwit]

What annoys me about Muslims taking over Churches is that they see it as a "victory" of Islam over Christianity, rather than seeing it is really only them that still believe the stories.

[BusyB]

11 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

I have no objection to a community building their own mosque.  But I don't see any reason to through away 500 years of history.  This building was built by Anglican worshipers, Muslim worshipers can build their own church.

 

 

It doesn't 'throw away 500 years of history'. It merely turns another page in (the Georgian church building's) history.

 

Not too long ago even a café or museum would have been fatwah'd by the CoE.

[BusyB]

1 minute ago, mokwit said:

What annoys me about Muslims taking over Churches is that they see it as a "victory" of Islam over Christianity, rather than seeing it is really only them that still believe the stories.

 

Really?

[BusyB]

8 minutes ago, Purdey said:

If they have this legal right there isn't much to discuss.

 

That much is true.

[2long]

It's to worship the same imaginary friend in the sky, and to home peados and violent warmongerers, so why not let them?

[chickenslegs]

9 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

I have no objection to a community building their own mosque.  But I don't see any reason to through away 500 years of history.  This building was built by Anglican worshipers, Muslim worshipers can build their own church.

 

The Church of England had no more use for it. It has been sold on at least twice then abandoned. All the graves were dug up and remains relocated many years ago (in the 1980's I think) so there are no Christian souls to be considered.

It is an eyesore, right next door to the town's main shopping centre. It should be demolished, or repurposed. Seems that the only people willing to spend money on it are the local Muslims, of which there are many.

 

[youreavinalaff]

32 minutes ago, retarius said:

Racism pure and simple. The UK has always been a racist country.

Which one of Christianity and Islam is a race?

[simple1]

34 minutes ago, Foxx said:

 

Factually incorrect. 

 

Muslims worship Allah who was originally a pagan moon good; the Christian god was never a pagan moon god.  Mohammed repurposed Allah as the sole deity - it was easier for him than making up a new god.

 

Islam doesn't have Jewish roots.  The Koran is the literal word of Allah.  (It is curious, however, that bits of the Koran seem to be based upon badly remembered parts of Jewish scripture.  It's almost as if Mohammed wanted the Jews to accept him as their prophet which, of course, is why Mohammed, when the Jews of the Banu Qurayza refused to accept him as such, had all the teenage boys and men slaughtered and the women and children taken as slaves and sex slaves.)

 

Islam incorporates a number of Jewish memes such as Gabriel, Noah, Abrahamic prophets such as Abraham and Jesus, not eating pork etc plus figures such as Mary. Not surprising given Jews and Christians lived in the same region.

 

The postulation that Allah (God in Islam) originated as a moon god first arose in 1901 in the scholarship of archaeologist Hugo Winckler. He identified Allah with a pre-Islamic Arabian deity known as Lah or Hubal, which he called a lunar deity. This notion has been dismissed by modern scholarship as being without basis.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allah_as_a_lunar_deity#:~:text=Morey argued that "Allah" was,its popularized form as unevidenced.

[Gobbler]

11 minutes ago, BusyB said:

 

Really?

Don't gaslight. You know it is true. If you don't, you should read more.

[Gobbler]

30 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

I have no objection to a community building their own mosque.  But I don't see any reason to through away 500 years of history.  This building was built by Anglican worshipers, Muslim worshipers can build their own church.

 

You don't repurpose a historical building. The Muslims will change it so it is unrecognizable. 

[Scouse123]

8 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

oo manyThe Church of England had no more use for it. It has been sold on at least twice then abandoned. All the graves were dug up and remains relocated many years ago (in the 1980's I think) so there are no Christian souls to be considered.

It is an eyesore, right next door to the town's main shopping centre. It should be demolished, or repurposed. Seems that the only people willing to spend money on it are the local Muslims, of which there are many.

 

 

 

Too many!!

 

And we already have too many places of worship in the UK for Muslims.

 

An intolerant, bigoted, self-serving, violent, full of misyogism, evil religion.

 

There is a covenant stating it cannot be used as a place of worship unless it's Christianity. ....... Period.

[Gobbler]

27 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Useful Infidel alert.

Much like the gays and lesbians supporting Palestine. The Arabs there would throw the gays and lesbians from the tallest buildings in Gaza. Are there tall buildings in Gaza? 

 

Imagine supporting someone who would kill you just because.

[Gobbler]

He is ignorant and misinformed. Someone should educate him.

[Scouse123]

1 minute ago, Gobbler said:

Much like the gays and lesbians supporting Palestine. The Arabs there would throw the gays and lesbians from the tallest buildings in Gaza. Are there tall buildings in Gaza? 

 

Imagine supporting someone who would kill you just because.

 

Well, that's the stupidity of young idealistic, uninformed youth of the UK.

[Gobbler]

Just now, Scouse123 said:

 

Well, that's the stupidity of young idealistic, uninformed youth of the UK.

Not just the UK. 

 

[Gobbler]

The church is a beautiful building that shows the depth of understanding of primitive construction techniques. 

 

Historical. 

 

 

[JonnyF]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

The Zamir Foundation’s plans for the site were ambitious, including the installation of a museum, a multi-faith library, and a women’s-only gym alongside the mosque.

 

Women only? Doesn't Sound very inclusive. I'd imagine they'll be fine with trans women using it though...

 

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

The Church of England’s position in this case underscores the complexities involved in balancing the preservation of religious heritage with the evolving needs of diverse communities.

 

I can see a non crime hate incident in the Church of England's not too distant future. 

[Rimmer]

A flame and replies has been removed

[Baht Simpson]

I'm surprised it's not been turned into luxury flats.

 

Make it a gay and lesbian centre. Teach 'em both. 🙂 

[billd766]

34 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

I have no objection to a community building their own mosque.  But I don't see any reason to through away 500 years of history.  This building was built by Anglican worshipers, Muslim worshipers can build their own church.

 

History is not being thrown away.

 

If the Christians and the English church revere it so much, why is it not open with a thriving Christian community, instead of being shuttered and closed down?

 

It was to be opened as a place of worship, but not as a Christian church as nobody bothered to attend it any more. Now it is simply another moldering old building, and from looking at the photo, it is an eyesore, and will never be used as a place of Christian worship again.

 

If the Christians want to do something useful with it, refurbish it at the expense of the Church, and turn it into a shelter for the homeless and a soup kitchen.

 

Organised religion.

 

To quote Ebenezer Scrooge. Bah, Humbug.

 

 

[Gobbler]

13 minutes ago, Baht Simpson said:

I'm surprised it's not been turned into luxury flats.

 

Make it a gay and lesbian centre. Teach 'em both. 🙂 

What will you teach the Church of England? What's your expertise? 

[Gobbler]

10 minutes ago, billd766 said:

History is not being thrown away.

Of course it is. 

10 minutes ago, billd766 said:

If the Christians and the English church revere it so much, why is it not open with a thriving Christian community, instead of being shuttered and closed down?

Money.