Shock over plan to sell off historic church rectory in Oldswinford

PARISHIONERS have reacted with shock and sadness at the news that an historic church rectory in Oldswinford is to be sold off.

The Diocese of Worcester has confirmed it has been exploring possibilities for the future of Old Swinford Rectory, which sits grandly next to St Mary’s Church in Rectory Road, and that the “time has come” to sell the Grade II listed building which dates back to 1701.

One parishioner, who asked not to be named, said: “I think it’s sacrilege to be selling it off. I don’t know whether a lot of people in the parish know about it.

“We think it should stay in the church’s hands, otherwise we don’t know what will happen to it.”

The churchgoer said the fear is that the building could be taken over by a developer and turned into flats.

Another parishioner added: “Some of us think the Rectory is earmarked for conversion into exclusive apartments, not affordable flats.

“The situation is complicated by other buildings such as the Coach House, the church office and a private cottage being on the same site. Disabled access to the church would also be impeded.”

The concerned member of the congregation said the plan appears to be to relocate the church rector, currently John Flitcroft, to a more modern home within the parish, but the worried worshipper added: “If John is the shepherd looking after his flock of parishioners, we want him to be in the next field, not up a hill and round the corner.”

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The Diocese of Worcester has stressed there will be a formal consultation before any sale proceeds.

Nikki Groarke, the Archdeacon of Dudley, said: “The Old Swinford Rectory is a beautiful building and well located next to the church, but is an overlarge house and unsustainable as a rectory going forwards for a variety of reasons.

“We have therefore been exploring the future of the house and are grateful for the constructive engagement of the PCC with this process.

“Similar properties around the diocese have been replaced over the years, and as the last remaining one of this type, the time has come to reach this difficult decision here.

“The future ministry of St Mary’s, a vibrant church at the heart of its community, will be better enabled to flourish as we make alternative arrangements.”

She added: “There will be formal consultation before the sale proceeds and we are continuing to work with the parish on the issues that the sale will raise.”