Hopes 'iconic' Wolverhampton church can stay at heart of city
It is one of the oldest churches in Wolverhampton – and has proudly stood in the city centre for more than a century.
But low visitor and congregation numbers has seen Darlington Street Methodist Church struggle over the last few years.
Trustees at the church are now looking to find a joint venture partner to take on part of the landmark building, to make sure the church continues to play a prominent part in Wolverhampton.
The 118-year-old building, on the corner of Darlington Street and School Street, has been described as 'iconic' – and many could certainly not imagine the city without it.
Minister at the church, Reverend Chris Collins, said: "So many old buildings across the country have been made redundant, and that's not we want for the Methodist Church.
"This is an opportunity for the church to respond to the challenges it's facing. It's part of the landscape of the city, we want to ensure the building can still be part of the life of the city."
Renowned architect Arthur Marshall designed the Grade II listed Darlington Street Methodist Church in 1899. It opened its doors for the first time in 1901.
It's well known hemispherical copper dome and two facade turrets were a very uncommon design for the purpose of the building – but this is what makes it stand out today.
The charity Good Shepherd, which occupies space in the church to serve meals to the homeless, recently announced it was planning to move to a new site in Waterloo Road.
But trustees at the church were unable to confirm if the Good Shepherd leaving was the reason why they were looking for new partners.
The charity, which serves nearly 90,000 meals and food parcels every year, has outgrown its current home and is looking to move to a base directly opposite Molineux. But bosses are still waiting to receive planning permission.
Helen Holloway, administration manager at the Good Shepherd, said: “We remain hugely grateful to Darlington Street Methodist Church, and have an enjoyed an excellent working relationship with everyone there since the Good Shepherd first started delivering our services in 2003.
“Unfortunately we have now outgrown that premises in terms of the services that we need to supply.
“We are now not only looking to support the homeless and vulnerable via our daily food provision but also in providing so many more services with a view to helping empower people to make lasting changes in their lives.
“To be able to deliver these new services efficiently we need to find a new home and, as outlined during our recent consultation process, we have lodged an application to move to a new site on Waterloo Road.
“We have been looking for suitable new premises for some considerable time, but will forever be appreciative of the support received from Darlington Street, and wish Rev Collins and everyone at the church all the very best with their plans for the future.”
While Reverend Collins hopes the new arrival will provide something 'for the good of the people of Wolverhampton' property consultants Bruton Knowles – the firm employed to find the joint venture partner – say the opportunity will be open to restaurants, cafes, shops and entertainment facilities.
Developers are being invited to pitch ideas to Bruton Knowles by July 10.
