'We have achieved together more than could have been imagined': Ancient Wednesbury church which faced closure set to thrive once more

 St Bartholomew's Church in Church Hill has had the support and stability of an interim priest to help parishioners through 2025 and he credits "everyone working together under God's banner" for the revival.

Canon Ben Whitmore started in January and was brought in with a brief to 'nurture and renew' the parish after it faced a long period without anyone to help run it following the resignation of the previous vicar in January 2024 through long-term illness.

As well as that, the church hall quickly closed and worshippers faced the resignation of the Parochial Church Council in March 2024.

There were also significant works needed to the ancient Grade II-listed building, and rumours of its impending closure swirled.

But the congregation survived the challenges, continued to hold services with occasional outside help and had already elected a new Parochial Church Council before Canon Whitmore arrived.

His appointment helped give the future of the parish a structure and a part collaboration with nearby St Lukes in Mesty Croft, Wednesbury which saw the two churches share a vicar, gave a glimmer of hope that both could be sustained.

Since he arrived, Canon Whitmore has seen through the start of the building work which needs doing on the ancient building - there has been a church on the site since 1088.

He also immediately secured working links with area schools and made connection with families.

By May of this year the church was celebrating the increase in the congregation numbers, the hall being used every day and everyone working hard together for the benefit of the church. 

The start of building works was announced in June and the church is now back on its feet, with congregations growing, bookings being taken for weddings, baptism and funerals, and an advert in place for a new priest in charge. 

Work has already started on making the worn-out pathway up to the church safe and scaffolding is appearing around the church building.

Canon Whitmore told the congregation recently: "God is bigger than any of the problems we face together.

“For most of the last year we have achieved together far more than could have been imagined. 

“It is wonderful to think that we will be holding our ‘nearly midnight’ service this Christmas Eve at 9pm and welcoming in the community to celebrate with us. 

“This is in some ways a birth and a resurrection – you could say we are having Christmas and Easter together.”

The Rt Revd Tim Wambunya, Bishop of Wolverhampton, said: “The story of St Bartholomew’s shows what a few patient, persevering, faithful and hard-working people at the heart of a church can do to bring fresh hope for their church and their community. 

“They and Canon Ben are a wonderful example of what can be achieved when initially facing adversity."