Struggling Church to Reopen as a Mosque

A CATHOLIC church that struggled to survive amid dwindling attendance numbers has been sold – to a muslim community group.

St Peter’s, on Waterloo Road, Cobridge, dates back to the 1930s and there has been a Christian church on the site since the late eighteenth century.

But the church was hit by a sharp decline in attendances, and finally closed in July last year.

Now the Archdiocese of Birmingham, the body responsible for the church, has sold it to the Medina Mosque community group, who are currently operating out of two terraced houses on the same road.

A spokesman for the archdiocese said: “The parish of Cobridge has a long history, but in recent times the number of Catholics living in the area has shrunk to such an extent that those attending Mass at St. Peter’s were simply no longer able to maintain a priest and the church buildings.

“The church was put up for sale on the open market. A modest number of offers were received and a local Muslim community group made the best offer, acceptable to the diocesan trustees after consultation in other local parishes.

” The parish of St Peter’s still exists in Canon Law. The sale proceeds, once received, will have to be retained in its name pending a decision by the trustees as to the future needs of the parishioners in Cobridge.”

Father Peter Weatherby, of the Sacred Heart church in Hanley, said: “The buildings exists to serve the community and the area is very different now to when it was built in the 1930s. It’s hardly surprising it has been bought by muslims because there are a lot of muslims in the area.

“People who used to worship there have gone to other churches in the area when it shut, such as St Joseph’s in Burslem.”

Jay Gardiner, aged 46, of Cemlyn Avenue in Blurton, a volunteer for the Cobridge residents multicultural association, said: “It would be really good to get more community facilities in the area, as long as they are open to all as this is a very multicultural area. The only problem I have with it is if it’s not inclusive to the community.”

Sylvia Lowe, aged 35, of Waterloo Road, is a trainee dispenser at Angel Way Chemist. She said: “It’s better that it’s being used rather than just sitting there empty.”

Michael Anderson, of Port Hill Road, Longport, is a sales adviser at the hire store on Waterloo Road. He said: “Parking is the only issue I have with this. Already we have problems with people using our car park so there’s nowhere for customers to park.

“Hopefully they’ll have adequate parking facilities so that it won’t be a problem.”

John Lewis, aged 43, works at the Potteries Antiques Centre next door, said: “Fair play to them. They clubbed together to raise the money.”

The Medina Mosque group declined to comment when contacted by The Sentinel.

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