Bedworth Salvation Army 'abandoned' in shock church closure

[dutchman]

Worshippers say they have been left in the lurch



Bedworth Salvation Army worshippers say they have been 'abandoned' after their base closed without warning. They say that not long after they were finally allowed to reopen the unit in Leicester Street, following a delay after the pandemic, they were greeted with a 'closed until further notice' sign.

That was back in August and they claim that Salvation Army bosses have continued to ignore their pleas for help and their bid to reopen in Bedworth. One worshipper said: "We have been told that the unit is old and needs lots of work doing.

"That it was only a retail space and shouldn't have been used, yet we have used this building for nearly 20 years. We asked for a temporary officer to lead us and this was declined as none were available. We were told to go to Nuneaton or Coventry to worship."

They added: "Our congregation is mostly elderly, frail or disabled, some do not drive. Basically, we feel abandoned because there's no leadership as our own officer is off sick.

"We asked Nuneaton Corps to help us out last Sunday, as it was Remembrance, but we were told they have Nuneaton to look after." He says they are currently meeting in a supported housing lounge.

"We are really gratefully to be using this, but without leadership and spiritual guidance it feels like Bedworth as a Salvation Army Corp have been forgotten," he added.

The Bedworth hub was not just a place of worship, it was also a community cafe. The group organised many charity events and donation drives from the venue.

CoventryLive contacted Salvation Army HQ and a in, a statement, Lieutenant-Colonel JP Ramos, West Midlands Divisional Commander, said the building would be reopened. "Our Bedworth church needs some urgent improvement works and so we are temporarily closing while that is carried out," the statement said.

"We know many members of our church community are older and some are quite frail. We recognise this change is unsettling and so we have offered to provide transport for church members to worship in Coventry.

" Nuneaton is another alternative. We wish to thank our church members for their patience while we work with the landlord to improve the building."