COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

A Church which was destroyed by fire three years ago could be rebuilt under £1million plans.


The wooden church as it used to appear

Parts of Bethel Evangelical Church, in Spon End, were gutted by fire in 2008 after a bird’s nest was accidentally set on fire during maintenance work on the roof.

After years of consultations, an application has now been submitted to Coventry City Council for plans to demolish the remainder of the church buildings and rebuild a new church with community facilities.

A car park has also been included in the proposals.

In the application, John Grundy, a trustee of the church, said: “Prior to the fire the church buildings were constantly in use for a variety of church and community uses.

“It is the intention for the church to use its new premises not only for its own members but also for the benefit of the local community.”

The roof and spire of the church, which have stood in Spon End for more than 70 years, were devastated by the fire, as well as parts of the foyer area.

As a result, members of the congregation were forced to hold a church service in the rugby club car park until they found new premises.

The part of the building damaged by the fire was demolished a year later but the undamaged parts of the hall and additional buildings carried on being used by the congregation.

Now, if given the go ahead, they may be able to start rebuilding the church by next year.