The landlord is my shepherd

CHURCH WITH NO HEATING HOLDS SERVICES ON PUB'S DANCE FLOOR

A CONGREGATION driven out of church by freezing conditions has found spiritual warmth in a nearby pub ... with the blessing of the bishop, writes Yvonne Ridley.

Landlord Roger Balsillie said vicar John Lintern and his parishioners would be welcome when he heard that faulty central heating meant St Paul's church was too cold. Services will be held on the disco floor.

So today the View Tops pub near Beamish Museum, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will open two hours earlier for a 10am Sunday service special - after Mr Lintern was given dispensation from the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Michael Turnbull.

Pub regulars have been told they are welcome to join in this morning's service, although the only alcohol on offer will be altar wine.

"I understand some of Mr Lintern's congregation already enjoy good relations with the View Tops. This is a very good model of the church and the community bonding and working together," said Stephen Conway, senior chaplain to the bishop.

St Paul's 70-strong congregation will meet every Sunday morning in the pub until mid-January when a new heating system is expected to be ready.

The Rev John Lintern said: "It was too cold to worship at St Paul's and we are in the process of working out a new arrangement for the heating.

"In the meantime we have moved Sunday services to the View Tops pub which has given us a golden opportunity to reach out to the community."

There will even be christenings there. "I think the vicar has one or two planned," said Mr Balsillie. "But I don't expect any wedding or funeral services. There won't be a midnight mass for Christmas Eve either, thank God. I could imagine some problems if that happened.

"I must admit I don't go to church, although John is one of my regulars. However, I will be attending all his Sunday services at View Tops - I'll have to, to get ready for opening time."

Although some of the parishioners from the surrounding areas of Stanley, Chester-le-Street and Grange Villa said they would have preferred to have worshipped in the local chapel or school, others have welcomed the move.

Beatrix Salovsky, an archivist and a member of the church for 18 years, believes it could bring more people in. "It is something that does not happen very often and we should seize the opportunities," she said.

While the vicar is praying for a good turnout today, Mr Balsillie says he is also confident of converting a few souls - to a pint of his Best Bitter.