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The historic St Mark's Church in Mayfair |
Anglicans offer to stump up cash to save St Mark’s
‘We can’t give up without a fight’
ONE of the fastest growing Anglican religious groups in the country could hijack plans to transform a historic Mayfair church into a health spa by claiming it as their own.
Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) have told campaigners fighting to save St Mark’s (pictured) from development they are willing to stump up millions of pounds to save the listed building from development.
The revelation was made public at a meeting last night (Thursday), attended by concerned residents trying to ramp up the campaign before the consultation window closes next week.
Developer George Hammer, who lives next door to the North Audley Street church, is contracted by owners the Diocese of London to refurbish the building, which dates from 1825.
His previous attempts to turn it into a café and apartment complex were thrown out by planning chiefs last year.
The church’s historic altar, where President Eisenhower mapped out the D-Day Normandy landings and William Wilberforce launched his anti-slavery campaign, will become a juice bar under the plans and plunge pools will replace the pews.
The Anglican organisation say they are happy to accommodate the 200-strong Prayer of Nations congregation – which currently uses the building but would have to leave under the proposals – if they can use the church as their base.
Speaking at the meeting, Kirk Mitchell, chairman of the Save St Mark’s Campaign, said: “The Church of England has put no investment in and have for years scorned attempts from the local community to save the church – despite the building being named fifth most at risk by English Heritage.
“HTB have a proven track record in preserving and expanding and they would fulfil our wish of restoring the building and keeping it as a religious institution in the heart of the community. It would be an absolute travesty if a religious building is turned into a commercial palace without a fight.”
HTB, known for founding the Alpha Plus courses, has spread the teachings of Christianity from its South Kensington HQ since 1828.
Sunday services average 4,000 and are attended by a majority of young people.
Consultation on the plans ends on April 30.
No one from the Diocese of London was available to comment. |
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