Churchgoers need to donate more for minster

CHURCHGOERS have been asked to help plug a 50,000 black hole at historic Halifax Minster. Rising costs have been blamed for the minster currently operating at a loss of about 1,000 a week.

Congregation members suggested people donate five per cent of weekly income to the Minster. Vicar of Halifax Hilary Barber said: “We’ve had a deficit of 50,000 for the last couple of years. It’s not happened overnight. It’s been growing to that. We need to make the minster sustainable for the future.

“One way is to get the congregation who worship to increase their giving. But we’re also looking at how we can be more flexible so the whole community can use the building and therefore bring in income revenue.”

The former Halifax Parish Church became a Minster in November 2009. While the change in status does not automatically attract extra funding Mr Barber said he hoped to see an increase in ‘religious tourism’.

He also said widening the minster’s concert programme and opening the site for a range of occasions, like graduation ceremonies, should also boost its coffers.

Mr Barber said money was mainly being lost due to the minster’s increased contribution to the Diocese of Wakefield’s Common Fund. The collection pays for the high running costs of the 900-year-old church and clergy posts.

Until last year, the minster also added a 250 charge for weddings and funerals which was paid directly to the church, on top of the statutory fee paid to the Church of England.

But a review by the General Synod has since banned such charges. Mr Barber said: “Obviously larger churches try to find creative ways to try and find extra money to pay its bills. Halifax Minster has been no different to other churches. Clearly we are being advised that there may have been things we have done in the past which we can no longer do. We have to review our fee structure to make sure that we are following guidelines.” He says he aims for the minster to break even by 2012.

The minster launched a separate campaign last year to raise “A million for the minster”, to pay for a larger stage, restoration of the organ and improved sound and lighting equipment.