Group Launches Campaign to Save Summertown Church From Sale

A local group is raising funds to buy Summertown Church. They want to preserve it as a community arts center.

Group Launches Campaign to Save Summertown Church From Sale
Group Launches Campaign to Save Summertown Church From Sale

Summertown United Reformed Church closed in 2022. It served the community for 179 years Local arts groups still use it a lot.

The Wessex Synod Trust owns the church building. They plan to sell it now, and they kept renting it to groups after closing it.

A group formed called Summertown Arts Community, or SAC. SAC aims to gather money and buy the church. The city council recognizes the building’s heritage value, and SAC registered it as an Asset of Community Value.

SAC has until July 28 to make an offer. This is due to the Asset of Community Value status rules. Arts groups use the church for many activities, including dance, drama, and music. Visiting churches also use it.

The church has a main hall and a community hall. It also has meeting rooms, a kitchen, and studios. The dance floor is professional grade.

Summertown Arts Community started in 2021. They wish to keep it an arts center. They want to buy it from the Wessex Trust. Susie Crow co-manages the venue with Peter Street.

She says it is vital for arts accessibility, since spaces are limited in the city for arts. If SAC does not buy it, its future remains unknown. SAC can continue renting space if successful, because more groups want to use it.

The Wessex Synod Trust supports Crow and Street. They must sell at market value due to charity law. They will advertise the property publicly. Accepting a lower offer would break the law. They gave Crow and Street until July 2025 to fundraise, and will advise them on an acceptable offer.

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