Bath Abbey ditches Victorian pews – so it can host bake sales
CAMPAIGNERS argue the rows of Victorian pews are vital to the character of one of Britain’s most historic buildings.
But officials at Grade I-listed Bath Abbey wanted them removed in favour of stackable wooden chairs, saying it could attract more visitors by hosting concerts and bake sales.
Now it has joined a growing number of Church of England buildings which have seen fixed pews replaced with modern seating – to the horror of traditionalists.
The plan was approved yesterday after a failed bid by conservationists The Victorian Society, which opposed the move at a Church court meeting.
A church has stood on the site since 757AD, but the existing building largely dates from a 16th century restoration.
The former Benedictine monastery was renovated by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 1860s, at which point rows of fixed pews were installed.
Officials at the abbey had to apply for permission from the Church of England for the ‘uncomfortable’ seating to be removed before a multi-million pound makeover could get under way.
At the court session in October, repre- sentatives for the abbey argued that the church nave was used for ‘a wide variety of social and cultural purposes, including concerts, art exhibitions, university degree ceremonies and charity events such as the Great Bath Bake Sale’.
Rev Edward Mason said the church was ‘facing crisis’ with an ageing congregation and decline in visitors, saying installing stackable chairs would free up floor space to host popular events. ‘Removing the pews would be making the church fit for the 21st century,’ he said.
His suggestion that the space could be used for concerts and ballet performances was branded a ‘ pipe dream’ by barrister Mark Blackett- Ord QC, who represented The Victorian Society.
It said removing the pews would cause ‘serious harm’ to the building.
Hundreds of parishes have sold off Victorian wooden pews in recent years to open up churches for new uses such as concerts and children’s playgroups.
Church of England places of worship do not require listed building consent from councils to undertake renovations.
Work at Bath Abbey is now expected to begin in the spring of 2018 following a decade of planning and consultation. The so-called Footprint Project will see the collapsing floor repaired and underfloor heating installed – powered by energy from Bath’s natural hot springs.
The project, which will also provide facilities for researchers and students and a calming space for worshippers and visitors, is to cost £19.4 million, helped by donations and a £10.7 million Heritage Lottery grant.