Black Country church set to close after almost 170 years serving the community

Despite a dip in fortunes in recent years, St Anne's Church in Ann Street is still hosting worship services and plans were made to close it during lockdown.

No closure date has yet been scheduled and residents and community groups are being urged to continue to make use of the premises as much as possible by attending worship currently held on the first and third Sundays of the month and by hiring the church hall for family events, meetings and activities.

It was first opened as a Church of England mission congregation in 1858 worship services and as attendance grew it was subsequently extended and became a parish church in its own right on St George's Day on April 23 ,1861.

The A Church Near You website states: "St Anne's Church is unfortunately in the closure process, but it is still open at the moment, so do come along if you are able. Services are on the first and third Sundays of the month."

Now the Church Commissioners, who are responsible for Church of England properties, are making plans to wind down its operations.

 A public notice states: "The Church Commissioners have prepared a draft Pastoral Scheme which includes provision, inter alia, for the parish church of St Anne, Willenhall, in the diocese of Lichfield to be declared closed for regular public worship."

Copies of the scheme can be inspected by members of the public at the church premises in Ann Street and at Willenhall Library in Walsall Street, online via the Church of England website of from the Commissioners.

Any representations, comments for or against the contents of the draft Pastoral Scheme should be made in writing  via email to joanna.chandler-clarke@churchofengland.org or via post to Joanna Chandler-Clarke, Church Commissioners, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ before March 31.