To: The Diocese of Lichfield
PETITION TO PAUSE THE PROPOSED CLOSURE AND SALE OF ST. RUFIN’S, BURSTON
We, the undersigned, ask the Parochial Church Council and the Diocese of Lichfield to pause the proposed closure and sale of St. Rufin’s, Burston, and to allow proper consideration of alternatives before any irreversible decision is made.
Why is this important?
We ask that the local community is formally consulted; alternative community, charitable, heritage and pilgrimage uses are considered; the historic ownership and circumstances in which the church and land were provided are properly investigated; and the Friends of St. Rufin’s and other interested groups are given a reasonable opportunity to put forward an alternative to sale.
St. Rufin's Church is a simple, peaceful and charming building, erected for community use by residents of Burston, and licensed in 1859 for worship.
Based on or near the site of a previous ancient church, Pilgrims along the Two Saints Way continue to visit as they did in ancient times to the place which is historically claimed to have been the site of the martyring of Rufin, in the 7th century.
As the only community building in the village, continually cared for by villagers during its existence, the permanent loss of this historic building would be mourned by visitors, worshipers, historians and the local community alike.
St. Rufin's Church is a simple, peaceful and charming building, erected for community use by residents of Burston, and licensed in 1859 for worship.
Based on or near the site of a previous ancient church, Pilgrims along the Two Saints Way continue to visit as they did in ancient times to the place which is historically claimed to have been the site of the martyring of Rufin, in the 7th century.
As the only community building in the village, continually cared for by villagers during its existence, the permanent loss of this historic building would be mourned by visitors, worshipers, historians and the local community alike.
