Big fuss over chapel’s tiny table for children
Parishioner claims canon’s family-friendly furniture has ruined the beauty of 12th-century church
A RECTOR could face the sack in an argument over a plastic children’s table and chairs she introduced to the Lady Chapel of her 12th-century church.
Canon Lynda Klimas installed furniture at St Mary the Virgin church in Maulden, Beds, to keep children quiet during prayers.
But churchgoer Kevin Sims, 67, has objected to the furniture’s presence and has filed an official complaint, claiming Ms Klimas made a false representation when she applied for permission for it.
He said: “I definitely do not feel the number of children warrants it. My main issues are for aesthetic reasons and reasons of demand.
“There are procedures in place that anyone who makes changes in church has to go through. My concern is that if nothing is done it means effectively anyone could change anything.”
Mr Sims, who has been attending the church for 20 years, said he knew of four other churchgoers who supported his grievance.
He also complained that Ms Klimas described the area as a “children’s area” instead of a “Lady Chapel”.
There are strict rules about introducing anything which changes the appearance of a church, including that new installations have to be “in keeping” with surroundings.
Mr Sims claims that the furniture is not, and that the rector falsely claimed that it was when she applied for permission from the local church court.
Both Ms Klimas and the diocese said they were unable to comment because the complaint was open. If the bishop decides to consider the complaint and agrees with it, he could issue a punishment ranging from a written warning to lifelong prohibition.
However, Mr Sims does not enjoy support among all of his fellow churchgoers. One said: “I have never heard so much ridiculous fuss about a tiny little table and chairs. It’s lovely to see young children welcomed into the church and given a place to sit quietly and play.”
Arun Kataria, a spokesman for St Albans Diocese, said: “The complaint will be heard in accordance with standard procedure and will be confidential until the matter is concluded.”