As expected, the future use of the currently redundant Methodist Church on Church Square in Rye has divided opinion with many wishing to see it remain a commercial building for community use. Others take a different view and feel the most logical route would be to convert it for residential use.
No doubt a survey and specialist reports will confirm what structural condition the building is in and then the options might become clearer. Is it worth restoring, is it commercially viable to convert it, or would it be better to demolish it all together?
Col Everett feels that this is the chance to create something special for the town and writes:
“The Methodist chapel … Very damaged from water / damp, zero architectural
attractiveness. No need for more expensive flats (for more B&B) with no parking.
“No need of another barn like meeting place; we have the church, St Mary’s Centre and the town hall all within 500 yards. It’s in too special a position, with an enormous footprint. PULL IT DOWN!
“Think big and bold… Cobble the area. Join it up with the Gun Garden and create a beautiful little town centre (we haven’t got one). Small coffee / chocolate shop (s), with flat(s) over and around the edge. Fountain / trees / statue / benches.
“All continental medieval towns have just such a plaza near their main church / cathedral. I’m so often asked where Rye’s centre is! This could be it.”
She may well have a point and it’s certainly food for thought, but is there someone out there prepared to fund the purchase, demolition and landscaping proposed? Only time will tell.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
An excellent idea! Unfortunately it would be very difficult to find the funding for it…
That is a wonderful idea. However, those who live nearby might not like the increased footfall- and no one wants more cars there. Lots to think about.
A great idea. There is already the footfall in the area, what this scheme would provide is a focus in that most beautiful part of town. Somewhere to sit, have a coffee and soak up the atmosphere.
Added to which, I have just read that £1.5 million is dredged out of the Trevi Fountain in Rome every year. That would help Rye’s finances!
A municipal fountain in Rye will somehow rival the world-famous Trevi in Rome and bank-roll the town? Clearly this is not a serious idea.
If we had a fountain!!
We had a fountain at the back of the Town Hall, Rother removed it & it was never seen again!
Last time I looked, we do have a town centre. The Church, Town Hall and the Kino is the civic centre! There is a very popular and all year round ‘coffee shop’ wirh seating and tables outside the Kino, and Layfields has an outside bar/eaterie during the summer months. The church yard provides lots of outside seating in a green sward under the dappled shade of beautiful ancient trees – something the centres of most medieval towns on the continent do not offer, with their squares of anaemic gravel, grim granite greyness and sun-parched nothingness. Why any philanthropist would shell out nearly half a million to buy the Methodist Church and probably as much again in order to demolish it and ‘landscape’ the resulting unseemly hole in the civic landscape is a bit of a struggle!
Hear, hear!
I totally agree Andy, we have a town centre and demolishing the Methodist Church is unthinkable.
When seen objectively, the Methodist Church is evidently a landmark building, of architectural interest in the eclectic buildings of Rye as an example of a late-Edwardian church. It is a robust structure with no obvious major damage but some issues with its fabric that can be addressed. It has clear potential and ability to be conserved and reused in its present form for many possible uses – including housing. There are no reasonable or rational grounds for its demolition.
It is misguided to suggest only an open public space can define a town centre, nor can you create a new ‘centre’ on the edge of an ancient historic town that has grown up over centuries. Rye already has a central focus in the form of both our vibrant High Street and St Mary’s Church, set in a major public landscaped space as the centrepiece of the town.
Historically, the area around the Methodist Church was densely occupied – not an open space. This changed significantly from wartime damage, so the Methodist Church now makes a significant contribution to the celebrated roofscape views of historic Rye seen from afar. Creating an open space in this location would be completely inappropriate.
Notwithstanding how such an idea could ever be funded and maintained, the last thing Rye needs is more chocolate, coffee and trinket shops – our existing street shops can more than cater to the current commercial demands.
This is a misguided and destructive suggestion – neither big nor bold. Should every building that contributes to the unique character of Rye but which needs restoration and renovation be torn down? Rye as we know it would soon disappear …
Well said Michael Jones, strongly agree with you
Me too!
I did not comment when I first read the article as assumed Col Everett’s remarks were said tongue in cheek. Thus didn’t warrant a reply.
Does she know there is the Rye conservation society who may object her idea. Outside walls of the building are stones with the names of various people who were at the construction of the building. Not easily seen as painted over. Michael Jones comments are erudite and make every salient point , so I do not need to add to them. thank you Michael Jones.
I initially assumed it was not serious too, especially as Mrs Everett is well acquainted with the Rye Conservation Society, as she appears to be on their committee.
Maybe martello developments would be interested in turning this building into a creative centre, now they have given notice to their tenants at the Freda Gardham school.
Please don’t let it become a block of apartments that will be way beyond the pockets of locals and end up as another block of second homes and Airbnb’s
Well said, Tony.
Hear, hear.
Just for the record the Conservation Society do not yet have a view as to the future use of this building. The Methodist Church decided in 2021 that the cost of renovation was too great for the small and declining congregation and that the Church building should be sold and it is now on the market. Obviously being in the heart of the Conservation Area its important that there is a full discussion as to possible future uses and this seems to be happening here. It was originally built as a Sunday school and opened in 1903 then used in place of the war time bomb damaged Methodist Church, It is not a listed building and views as to its architectural merit are varied. The most likely way forward seems to be to repurpose the building as something else whether housing or art/commercial premises, but hopefully a building Rye can be proud of. There is no doubt much to be considered.
If it was converted into a Wetherspoons, that would put the cat among the pigeons. To be able to take the family for drinks and a meal and not cost an arm and a leg would be appreciated by many I think. To be able to buy a £5 bottle of wine for £10 and not have to pay the usual Rye price of £20+ would be great. I find when I eat out in Rye I get home thinking, ‘that was expensive and not that good either’.
If it’s was ludicrously turned into a Wetherspoons I will certainly move and rent out my property as an AirBnB. Why not put a McDonald’s and Starbucks on the High Street too?
Why not indeed.
With the huge numbers of visitors every summer ,I think a thoughtfully designed open space
with seating would be ideal. Lets face it, the church is not an attractive building and Rye has plenty of better looking ones than that !
A space/units for artists, as John T suggests, seems like a viable and appealing idea, since we know that the Creative Centre will be disappearing and there is as yet nowhere for the artists to go. A creative centre right in the heart of town?
This building should be preserved and not demolished. Structurally it is extremely well built and in sufficient current sound condition to be economically preserved and converted. Any future use of it, as always, needs a viable financial rationale and that is always related to its use, and use is always related to its market value and costs. The question is what is the best use of it. As a retired property developer of 40 years standing now living full time in Rye I can see that this attractive, well mannered and well built building makes a significant and important contribution to its historic setting. I would propose that it would be economically viable to convert it into a quantity, maybe 6-8 units of modest accommodation, plainly but adequately appointed, as starter flats for social housing occupants. We need more social housing in Rye, we need it integrated into the community and not separated from it, and young and old people on modest means need a leg-up in housing, and we should be assisting them as best we can for all our futures. It’s a splendid solid building: it should not be demolished.