Proposed merger of three churches halted after objections
THE PROPOSED merger of three churches in Southbourne has been halted after objections by members.
Church members of St Katharine’s, St Nicholas and All Saints were informed on Sunday, June 22, that plans to merge have been paused.
Winchester Diocese planned to merge the churches into a new parish of ‘Southbourne on Sea’.
The Churchwarden of St Katharine’s, Dean Quinton, told the congregation that due to observations by church commissioners, there had been a meeting.
The meeting involved the Archdeacon of Bournemouth, Jean Burgess, the Vicar of All Saints, Mike Powis, and the assistant Diocesan Secretary.
As a result it was decided to “pause the pastoral reorganisation for six months”.
Mr Quinton said the Archdeacon will now meet with each Parish Church Council to “seek a way forward.”
Several parishioners at St Katharine’s expressed concern to the Church Commissioners about the impact of the proposed merger on their Anglo Catholic services which they say few churches in Bournemouth provide.
