'No decisions have been made' over future of Ballabeg Methodist Church

Public gather to discuss future of chapel

Another small local chapel is currently faced with an uncertain future.

Founded in 1854, Ballabeg Methodist Church has played a central role in village life for over 170 years.

A historic limestone chapel, in 1900, a newer chapel was built alongside the original structure. 

The earlier building, located on the main road through Ballabeg, was later converted into a Sunday School and church hall, and it continues to host valued community activities today.

(Ballabeg Methodist Church. Credit: Manx Radio)

But now it is faced with a dwindling congregation and a lack of funds, and there are question marks over whether it will remain so for another 170.

Last night (10 June) a public consultation meeting was held to give members of the public better insight into those challenges.

"No decisions have been made"

The core message given to the gathered public at the southern church yesterday evening was that 'no final decision has been made, and that the church wanted to hear the views, ideas, hopes, and concerns of the wider community before any future discussions took place'.

But representatives were stark about the realities of keeping it up and running.

For example, a total of £1,682.60 was in the chapel's bank account yesterday - with a bill for £1,500 arriving at the door just that morning.

(Public consultation meeting held at Ballabeg Methodist Church. Credit: Manx Radio)

"A church is more than a building"

The 40 or so residents in the hall last night were told that nine times out of ten, it's not finances that lead to a church deciding to cease worship, but rather a lack of human resources helping keep it afloat.

They were told Ballabeg currently has six members, doing the jobs of 12.

And most of the day-to-day responsibilities of the chapel are carried out by just three or four individuals.

Addressing the public at the beginning of the meeting, Revd Christvin Edbarg said: "This is a consultation meeting, not a decision-making meeting.

"No decision has been made to cease worship at Ballabeg Methodist Chapel. No decision has been made to sell the building. No decision has been made about the future ownership of the property.

"Under Methodist Church procedures, any proposal to discontinue public worship follows a formal process. Standing Order 943 states: 'Public services may not be discontinued in any chapel or preaching place, nor any preaching place removed from the Circuit Plan, until permission has been given by the Synod on the recommendation of the Managing Trustees, the Circuit Meeting and the District Policy Committee'.

"In other words, only the District Synod can give final permission for public worship to cease.

"It is also important to understand that even if the congregation were, at some future point, to seek permission to cease meeting for worship, that would not automatically mean the building would be sold or disposed of. Those are separate matters.

"Any decisions concerning the future of the building would be considered through the appropriate Methodist Church processes and by the relevant bodies of the Church.

"Therefore, while we can listen to ideas and concerns about the future, we cannot provide definitive answers tonight on legal, property, or disposal matters because no such decisions are currently before us."

"It's quite a special place"

Manx Radio spoke to some of the people who use the church every week and would be devastated to see anything happen to it.

Mannin Quilters have used the space every Tuesday for around 20-25 years:

Nora Lean is both a member of the church and the quilting group:

Meanwhile, Ray Gawne is the ex-Captain of the Parish of Arbory, and the oldest member of the church's congregation:

Mr Gawne optimistic for the church's future there - and that was the general sentiment of the evening.

Several ideas were given to the board, from making the building more of a community hub to secure government funding grants, to making sure the space is better advertised as somewhere available for hire - both online and with physical advertising.

A sign-up list for those willing to help out in the future was also quickly filled at the culmination of the night.

Commissioners

The local authority was also well represented, with the board offering their help and support to the church too.

Sally-Ann Maiden is the chair of Arbory and Rushen commissioners:

So whilst the long-term future of Ballabeg Methodist Church may not be clear for the time being, one thing that was? The village isn't willing to let it go without a fight.

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(The interior of the chapel overlooking the view at Ballabeg Methodist Church. Credit: Manx Radio)

You can hear this report in full below: