Cost of vandalism may force congregation to sell church

by Daniel Blake
Posted: Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 12:02 (GMT)
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A Greek Orthodox Church in Northhamptonshire may be forced to sell its church building after repeated vandalism has pushed the church to the edge of bankruptcy.

The church at the old St Crispin’s Hospital in Duston has been undergoing a restoration scheme since the Greek Orthodox church took over and received a £54,000 grant from English Heritage for the repairs, reports the BBC.

The church is a grade II listed building but has been the victim of graffiti and criminal damage. The vandals have also stolen CCTV cameras meant to deter them as well as damaging the church.

"We bought the church nine years ago and we have been trying to restore it slowly but we've had around £13,000 of damage done to the church including smashed windows, stolen lead and ripped-up tiles,” church member Malcolm Rogers told the BBC.

"That has pushed us to the point of bankruptcy and we now owe the builders £9,000 and they are charging us daily interest.

"Had we not had all this vandalism we would probably be there about finished with the restoration.”

The church is now seeking help from businesses, but if no one can be found to support costs it may be necessary to sell the church.

“We don't know what to do now. We need to raise money and hopefully someone out there will be able to help us," Rogers told the BBC.

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