'Breakthrough' in future of 1,000-year-old church
BBCA community group says it has reached an agreement in principle to help run a 1,000-year-old church which was set for closure.
Billingham's parish applied to shut St Cuthbert's Church in 2024 due to rising costs and falling attendance.
Following negotiations between the Friends of St Cuthbert's community group and the Diocese of Durham, an agreement has been reached in principle to run the building in partnership and continue worship there.
Chairman of the Friends group Ken Wilson said the "breakthrough is a great step forward" and hoped it would lead to a "sustainable future for the church".
A spokesperson for the diocese said the talks had progressed "constructively" with the parish and Friends group.
"The latest proposals will be shared with public bodies as part of the consultation process and once finalised, there will be a period of public notice led by the church commissioners before any scheme is approved," they said.
During the proposed partnership period, services, weddings, baptisms and funerals will continue in the church.
The Friends will continue to run cultural and heritage events.
'Further negotiations'
The Friends will take over the running costs of the church from the parish.
Wilson thanked the people of Billingham for their support and donations at events in the church.
"Continuing that support and generosity will be absolutely vital over the next five years to enable the partnership to last the course and the Friends to progress to a sustainable future for the Church long term," he said.
"Urgent further negotiations are already happening to turn the agreement in principle into a robust operating agreement so that the parties can work productively to achieve the partnership's objectives over the coming five years."
