MP's fears over Garrison Church

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Apr 2007

Bob Russell MP outside Camp Church

Fresh fears over the future of Colchester's Garrison Church have been expressed by the town's MP Bob Russell.

The white painted building in Military Road holds its last service this coming Sunday morning after being a place of worship for around 150 years - and passes into the private ownership of the company building the new Colchester Garrison.

A new, much smaller church has been built within the new Garrison at Merville Barracks, and this is to open on Sunday 15th April with a service of dedication.

Mr Russell said: "The Garrison Church, sometimes called Camp Church, is arguably the most important and most historic military building in Colchester. It is a landmark building. I am deeply concerned as to what the future holds for it."

The Garrison Church is a Listed Building, which in theory should give it protection from either demolition or damaging changes to its appearance both externally and internally. It is believed to be the largest wooden church in Britain.

Mr Russell said: "Although the building is to pass from public ownership into private hands, I believe that the Borough Council should have long ago been considering alternative future uses for this historic building. To the best of my knowledge, however, this has not happened. This is regrettable.

"The lead should come from the Town Hall. With the day of reckoning now less than a week away I trust that the Council will come forward with thoughts as to how this landmark building can be saved. Otherwise I fear it will fall into decay and in due course may be lost."

Mr Russell urged local residents and organisations to write to both him and the Council with their thoughts as to what future use the Garrison Church can be put.

The re-development of Colchester Garrison will result in the sites of the Meeanee and Hyderabad Barracks opposite the Garrison Church, along with other parts of the Garrison dating back to the mid-19th Century on the other side of Abbey Field, being re-developed.

As part of the Private Finance Initiative deal between the Government and the private consortium which is constructing the new Garrison, the developers inherit existing sites and buildings - including the Garrison Church.