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'Community voices concern as church faces closure' - Your Letters, and Prince Philip meets local schoolmistress in 1972 picture throwback

Readers share their views on local issues, from the future of historic churches to the state of the city and a tribute to a much-loved journalist.

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By Tania Taylor
Published
Supporting image for story: 'Community voices concern as church faces closure' - Your Letters, and Prince Philip meets local schoolmistress in 1972 picture throwback
PICTURE FROM THE PAST: July 1972 – Prince Philip talks to Mr and Mrs Bill Hughes outside their house on the old people’s estate at Brookside, Telford, during his visit to the town. Mrs Hughes was an 89-year-old former Wolverhampton schoolmistress and her husband worked for many years for the Post Office.

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Fears for historic town church

I am regarding an article that appeared in the Express & Star entitled 'Church which faced closure marks a year of renaissance'.

In the article it is generally stated that the St Bartholomew's church in Wednesbury is now doing well and has joined forces with nearby St Luke's church.

However, there is no mention of St Paul's church and the very uncertain future it now faces.

St Luke's church in Mestycroft, Wednesbury is linked with St Paul's church in Wood Green, Wednesbury they are part of the same parish.

St Paul's church is a historic and impressive looking church building but now it has a very uncertain future.

A notice has appeared on the noticeboard outside St Paul's church see attached image stating that the St Paul's church bells and fittings are to be sold prior to the proposed closure process of the church building.

It is very disappointing and disheartening to read that St Paul's bells are to be sold and the building to close for myself and fellow local residents.

The notice does state that people can submit objections to the proposal to sell the bells and gives the information on how to do so.

An online petition has been set up for anyone wanting to support St Paul's keeping its bells and staying open.

St Paul's church means a lot to local residents and is both an important historic building and landmark in Wood Green Wednesbury. It is believed to be around 151 years old. It cannot be allowed to close and disappear it is too important.

For the last couple of years the people in charge of running St Paul's and St Luke's parish have been moving all the services from St Paul's to St Luke's.