Having a church would be a great blessing, but need to be cautious with ancient buildings. Will need to examine the quinquennial reports of the Anglican Diocesan surveyors.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Anglican
34 Archive Record results for Anglican
Advising the Bishop that All Saints, Burnham Market, is becoming redundant and is being offered to Fr Richmond. The Bishop of Lynn is in favour. It is in very good condition, heated, 12th Century.
Richmond, Hugh Rev SDS (1912-)Rector assures Fr Richmond that there is no structural weakness - but no written report. Catholic architect looked this week and Fr Richmond is assured on this matter. The church will eventually need attention on the inside - plastering and repainting.
Looking forward to the Bishops visit on 8th June, an Anglo-American buffet on the lawn arranged.
Issues about the church: suitable for today's liturgy, etc,; whether a financial transaction is involved; enough money for necessary restoration. No diocesan funds at the moment - the bishop has his own roof problem!
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Notice period for comment from the CofE congregation has concluded. The Rev Isaacson is sending his findings off to the Church Commission.
Richmond, Hugh Rev SDS (1912-)Understand that the Anglican authorities may need to declare All Saints redundant during a reorganisation. Express sympathy to the Vicar and his congregation at the loss but offset this by saying the Roman Catholic community would greatly benefit if it was released to them. Good to have met you and your wife on Wednesday.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Await the Church commissioners. Hope there will not be a mountain of legal fees. Fr Richmond spoke well that the best use for the church is the purpose for which it was built.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Whilst awaiting the Anglicans, Fr Richmond has had the Diocesan surveyor, Mr Toller, inspect All Saints. Report not yet available but the project is a safe one without any serious demands. Hopes the Bishop's hospital treatment is successful.
Richmond, Hugh Rev SDS (1912-)Covering letter for the surveyor's report. Fr Wilson says that despite long list of faults Mr Toller says it is a good opportunity and £3,000 should be enough to fix the problems
Wilson, Peter John Rev MA FCAChurch Commissioners are asking that they be re-reimbursed for the Church. Bishop of Lynn has suggested an alternative - minimal rent. With this in addition to the repair costs, the parish could not afford it. St Henry's, though, is in good condition and has room for expansion.
Richmond, Hugh Rev SDS (1912-)Photocopy of an exchange of letters
Top half: Fr Richmond to Fr Wilson [undated] - Taking over All Saints will involve expenses; expanding St Henry's might involve greater expenditure
Lower Half: Fr Wilson says that with £2,700 on deposit and £1100 in the bank there is sufficient to cover the work recommended by Mr Toller. If not, then the Diocese can help out.
Not keen on paying for the church, or even renting it. The original proposition was affordable if taken steadily. If the Church Commissioner's remain steadfast then we may think of an extension to St Henry's.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Covering letter for a more detailed memo and photocopies of Halsbury Laws 4th Edition 1080 of Vol 14.
Head, Adrian Herbert Judge (rtd) (1923-2012)Thanking Adrian Head for the time and trouble spent in puzzling out the options for All Saints. Its a shame that legal obstacles thwart the gift of the church to the catholic community.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Options available regarding All Saints are (a) buying the church (could cost £10,000 all in); (b) leasing the Church; (c) sharing it. (a) is rejected as too much expense and (b) & (c) leave no scope for adaption to needs. Steam gone out of the project - better to stay at St Henry's
Richmond, Hugh Rev SDS (1912-)Page 1: Letter - inclined to let All Saints drop
Page 2: transcript of letter from Fr Richmond of 12 June 1978
The parish agree that they should accept the offer of All Saints. Fr Richmond has indicated this to Rev Isaacson. Will the Bishop complete the negotiations?
Richmond, Hugh Rev SDS (1912-)Encloses Rector Isaacson's note to parishioners on the gift of All Saints to the Roman Catholics. One "frantic" objector has spoken to by the CofE Rural Dean.
Richmond, Hugh Rev SDS (1912-)Good news. Proper legal transfer is necessary. Will ask Peter Wilson to set up the negotiations.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)"It is nearly two years now since the Annual General Meeting for Burnham Sutton Church put forward a proposal for the future use of this Church. The substance of this proposal was explained in Parish letter No 76, but in the view of the fact that we now have copies of the Church Commissioners' Draft Scheme on the Notice Boards in the Porch at Sutton, Westgate & Norton Churches (tey [sic] will be there until March 6th) I propose to explain the whole thing again, and how it will affect these parishes."
The remainder of the letter provides the history, rationale and actions taken regarding the potentially redundant Church and giving it to the Roman Catholics.