Wrens fear loss of memorials to their fallen

FOR decades St Mary le Strand has been the official church of the Women’s Royal Naval Service, with memorials dedicated to lost friends.

However, their history could be lost as church leaders plan to install a controversial Bible museum founded by a conservative American evangelical.

The partnership with the American Museum of the Bible would involve the temporary removal and storage of the pews, along with the kneelers made by former Wrens.

The church in Central London, which was the official home of the WRNS, also contains items associated with the service, including a Paschal candle, alms dish and altar frontal.

Janet Crabtree, vice-president of the Association of Wrens, told The Daily Telegraph: “We have just expressed our concerns, because it is our church and because of our memorabilia there… It is a difficult situation, and we’re not getting involved in the politics of it.”

Margery Roberts, a former church warden who resigned over the plans, said the local parochial church council was “manipulated and gerrymandered” after eight priests were appointed late last year, outnumbering the laity and allowing the plans to go through. She also accused the diocese of “bullying” lay members.

The Ven Luke Miller, Archdeacon of London, said the church had been looking at how to “do better” and stay open outside of narrow periods for services at the weekends. But he admitted that the diocese had licensed eight new clergy, partly in response to efforts by lay members to block plans to convert part of the church into a venue for exhibitions.