Bishop will address additional uses for struggling churches in meeting tonight

The Bishop of Sodor and Man Robert Patterson will be holding the first of two meetings tonight to discuss the future of two the Island’s most prominent churches.

Jurby and Lezayre Church have both been identified as struggling to pay maintenance costs in the face of a diminished congregation.

The winter months prove to be the toughest financially as they need to keep the large buildings heated.

So far they say that the situation is placing a growing burden of responsibility on churchgoers in the areas.

In the meetings things like additional revenue generating uses will be considered but ultimately it’s seen as a chance to give the facts to the congregations and begin a discussion on the matter.

The first meeting will be in Jurby Parish Hall this evening, with a second gathering at Kirk Christ, Lezayre on Wednesday May 25th.

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