A church in Mansfield is set to cease operating as a Methodist practise, with plans to use the property as a "community facility." The premises, comprising of a chapel built in 1902 for the Mansfield United Methodist Free Church, exists on the corner of Clumber Street and Portland Street and is on the edge of the Market Warsop Conservation Area.
The application proposes a change of use of the Warsop chapel to a community-use facility - the building is set to be retained for use by the community. There are no proposed changes to the design of the building with the exception of two existing timber entrance doors to be replaced with solid dark coloured composite type push bar fire doors.
One Warsop councillor, Debra Barlow, Independent councillor for Market Warsop, has spoken of dwindling congregation at the Methodist church and thinks that the changes will have a positive impact on the community. She said: "It's my understanding the congregation had dwindled significantly both in the Warsop and Meden Vale Methodist church.
"They've decided to keep the MV church and the group who've taken over the Warsop building is vibrant. They used to operate out of the town hall and then look for venues within the parish.
"I strongly believe they'll make the Methodist church a go-to place. It also allows Scouts and Brownies to remain and they've been there since I was a little girl. So in answer, it'll be a positive impact on the community in my opinion."
