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Letter: Losing our heritage
I read with concern, your recent letter from John Roberts regarding the sale of pews from Wakefield Cathedral.
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Why are we losing our heritage from listed church buildings? It seems many churches and cathedrals are replacing pews with chairs (which will not last any length of time compared to pews) with no thought of preserving our heritage for future generations.
Listed church buildings should include interiors as modern alternatives do not enhance the buildings.
St Chad’s Church, Far Headingley, recently re-ordered the interior, which involved removing all the pews and also a very elaborate carved oak pulpit. This has ruined a superb example of a listed Victorian church. Furthermore, it has also reduced the income of the church, as several of the parishioners have opted for an alternative place of worship.
Who has given the directive to remove pews etc and decimate the interior of these fine interiors?
Why has no action from the Victorian Society or English Heritage failed to prevent this action?
John N Dale, Otley Old Road, Leeds
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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paulinemum
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 11:36 AMWe should be preserving our heritage,especially in churches,in view of so many opposing our Christian outlook.Many of these furnishings end up in waste yards to rot .
johnaycee
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 04:30 PMThe recent letter from John Roberts does not in any respect reflect the views of the Dean and Chapter of Wakefield Cathedral. They are the only ones appointed to approve any changes to the fabric of the Cathedral, which has been done with the complete approval of English Heritage. Had Mr Roberts taken the time to ascertain this, he would have been advised of the circumstances surrounding the development which is now taking place. A development which when completed will provide a flexible space for the needs of worship, the community and the Diocese of Wakefield in the 21st century and beyond, something which the Victorian parish church interior was never intended to provide. John A Courtney Churchwarden and a member of Wakefield Cathedral Chapter
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