Where Have They Gone? Why Did They Go?
When I first moved to Handsworth some 20 or so years ago, there used to be 5 green grocers and 4 butchers. Now there are no green grocers and only one butchers. Where have they gone, why did they go?
They went because they were only being used by the faithful few customers and could not afford to stay. They closed down.
Saint Mary's Church has been in Handsworth since the eleven hundreds and is noted in the Architects Survey as "one of the most historic in Sheffield and certainly has a striking visual impact on the townscape of this area of the city. It is the first Church that can be seen on entering Sheffield via the Parkway link from the M1 and is similarly dominant locally.
There are some 16,500 people living in Handsworth, but at the last count in April 2007 the number on the Church electoral roll was 67 and since that time, sadly, some of those listed have died, moved out of the parish, or have gone into nursing homes. Out of those 67 some 40 people attend church regularly on a Sunday.
As you all know, our Rector retired in February and we no longer have a Parish Priest.
We are told that for a resident priest it costs the Diocese of Sheffield £40,000 pa for his salary, supply of a house, etc. The Parish Church is expected to pay towards this keep by paying a Quota to the Diocese. Last year St Mary's Quota was £33,340 of which the 40 or so regular attendees only managed to pay £16,000 this is after the costs of heating, light, administration etc. This year our Quota is set at £31,089. The Diocese, are very reluctant to put a priest into a Parish that cannot pay its way.
Last year the Priest of St Mary's carried out 24 Baptisms, 17 Thanksgivings, 5 weddings, 48 funerals, plus many other services. The people of Handsworth will expect St Mary's Church to be here in the future, for the wedding of their sons/daughters, the baptism of their children and the funeral of their loved ones.
The faithful few who worship God in St Mary's will do their very best to keep the church open, with a resident priest, but if the Diocese don't think that this is enough, then please don't be surprised if when you come knocking the door of your Parish Church is permanently locked.
