Landmark curch to go?

Steyne Gardens Methodist Church has been a prominent feature of the seafront area for 103 years.

But its 74-strong membership cannot continue the 25,000 to 30,000 annual upkeep, and last week the church council voted to close the building by August next year.

There will, however, be no further action until after consultations with the Methodist Worthing circuit and the Methodist South-West district.

The closure shock comes after the stalling of a rationalisation plan also involving the Methodist churches in Lyndhurst Road and Tarring Road.

The plan would have meant Lyndhurst Road becoming a purpose-built youth facility; selling the Tarring Road premises and making Steyne Gardens the "combined" church centre.

Steyne Gardens secretary John Jackson told the Herald yesterday that opposition to this plan from the other two churches meant the strategy was unlikely to go ahead, leaving Steyne Gardens with no option but to recommend its closure.

Mr Jackson said Steyne Gardens had to meet extra costs of some 15,000 over the next 18 months, including repairs and the provision of disabled access.

"The majority of the church council voted for the church to close, although there were others wanting to keep it open, but at the moment it looks as if there will not be enough income to cover costs and the church will be in deficit within three or four years."

Although agreeing that the demolition of Steyne Gardens church was a possibility, Mr Jackson said the church and its hall could be sold or they would let another church use it.