|
‘Bethel’ Presbyterian Church of
Wales, Heathfield Road, Liverpool
The
case for a New Bethel
The future of the church and the
wellbeing of the congregation have been foremost in the minds of
the minister and the elders – the church’s trustees – for the last
fifteen years, at least. The Bethel complex, as all who visit the
site agree, is blessed with an imposing, large and commanding
church, together with comprehensive ancillary facilities.
However, given an undeniably ageing and dwindling congregation,
the complex will in time prove to be excessive in terms of both
needs and the members’ ability to maintain it.
In considering the future the
trustees have been conscious of two overriding principles: namely,
to protect and nurture, as far as it is possible to, the Liverpool
Welsh Religious and Cultural Heritage; and to ensure, again as far
as possible, that the site should not become the eyesores that
similar edifices have become in Princess Road and Rodney Street.
They are convinced that what is suggested and incorporated in the
Development Plan submitted to the City Planning Department – a
small purpose built chapel reflecting current needs, coupled with
a residential development – is realistic, attainable, and very
much in the best interest of all concerned.
The trustees have, over a number
of years, explored a variety of plans and projects before
eventually deciding on what is now proposed. The following
illustrates the efforts made:
-
In 1990 a joint venture with
Elm Hall Drive Methodist Church was considered. The advice of a
Mr David H Kitton, a gentleman based in the London area
specialising in designing reconfigured and refurbished church
buildings, was sought. The proposed project proved to be
non-viable, and the proposals put forward relating specifically
to Bethel were deemed inappropriate as they did not solve
Bethel’s anticipated future difficulties.
-
During 1992 the University of
Liverpool was approached with the view to developing a joint
enterprise within the public domain. This proved to be a
fruitless exercise because of the location of the site – a
considerable distance from the University Campus.
-
In 1993 the advice of the then
Dean of Liverpool Cathedral – the late Rev Derek Walters – was
sought. He suggested an approach be made to a development
company called Tweeds.
-
In 1995 a Mr Brian King, a
Welsh architect with Liverpool connections become involved; he
contacted Tweeds who in turn sent representatives to visit the
site and to meet the trustees.
-
In 1996 Tweeds, in the guise
of Liberty Properties, reported their failure to interest
national companies such as Boots and Marks & Spencer in a
project to develop the site, but adding that they now intended
approaching a brewery company. [Mr King, meanwhile, faded from
the scene!]
-
Also in 1996 a certain Jane
McDonald who had been professionally associated with
redeveloping a United Reform Church in Cardiff was approached.
Having visited the site and made a number of enquiries she
informed the trustees that the only significant response came
from the owners of a national chain of public houses. Both hers
and Liberty’s suggestions in this direction were unacceptable to
the trustees!
-
1996 also saw the arrival on
the scene of Jon Hughes, an architect/developer based in North
Wales. He was commissioned to produce a report on the
possibility of adapting and developing the Bethel site as a
major Artistic, Cultural and Religious Centre. A comprehensive
report was produced bearing the title ‘Canolfan Penny Lane
Centre’ incorporating ‘Ysbryd Cymru – The Spirit of Wales’,
an inspiring and far-reaching concept involving the latest
technology, electronics and media facilities. Inspiring,
certainly – practical and realistic, less so!
-
The proposals regarding
‘Canolfan Penny Lane Centre’ were discussed again in
1997, but despite all the efforts of many people the project was
eventually consigned to history, and a new start proposed.
-
In 1998 Robert Owen, a senior
partner in a local firm of architects, was approached. He
suggested two possibilities: selling the site and using the
proceeds to relocate elsewhere in the locality, or approaching a
developer with a view to developing the site on the lines
currently proposed.
-
Also in 1998 Jonathon
Pritchard, an architect who had been involved previously through
Tweeds, approached the trustees with a proposal to reconfigure
the chapel into a smaller chapel, office, kitchen and other
allied facilities, whilst developing the rear of the site
(bordering Auckland Road) as student flats. Outline plans were
produced, but for a variety of reasons were deemed
inappropriate.
-
The dawn of the new millennium
in the year 2000 saw the publication of E C Harris’s report on
the state of the buildings owned by the Welsh Presbyterian
Church, including Bethel. Following considerable discussion
subsequent to receiving the E C Harris report - not least
pertaining to the work that would have to be carried out on the
buildings in order to satisfy legal requirements - the
congregation, on the advice of the trustees, decided to adopt
the second of the two suggestions made by Robert Owen in 1998.
Eventually, the trustees entered
into negotiations with TRB Estates, negotiations that resulted in
the Development Plan that is now before the City Planning
Department.
The trustees believe all avenues
have been explored – indeed, they are exhausted, there is no
drawing board to which they can return to. Should this
application fail the congregation will have to fall back on its
own resources which will prove a disaster for all concerned. The
upkeep of the chapel will become burdensome, it will be withdrawn
from use and, in the interest of security, be boarded up; church
activities will be conducted in the ancillary rooms at the rear of
the present premises (not an attractive proposition); the general
upkeep of the premises and grounds will increasingly prove to be
unsustainable for a dwindling and ageing congregation, resulting
in the site adopting a decayed and derelict aspect.
The proposed new chapel is seen
as the future religious and cultural focal point for the Welsh
Community on the Liverpool side of the Mersey; should the ‘new
build’ not come to fruition the future looks very bleak. If the
current leadership – basically, the present minister, elders and
members of the Strategy Committee – fails to achieve what is
envisaged, no subsequent team will.
H Wyn Jones,
Secretary.
20th August 2004.
|
