THE minister of an 18th century Methodist church in Stourport has hit back at claims that proposed alterations to the building's interior amount to "vandalism."
The Rev Paul Booth said the Parkes Passage building must change to meet the needs of worshippers and the buildings in which four new meeting rooms are envisaged are not even listed.
"People who meet in church want to preserve the heritage at the same time as having a comfortable building in which to worship," said Mr Booth. "We're not a museum.
"Some of the pews are being removed but the oldest ones are being kept, and the alabaster screen is being re-aligned not removed."
The chairman of the town's Civic Society Pauline Annis earlier spoke out against the possible changes.
"This does not have to be at the cost of Stourport's architectural and historical heritage," said Mrs Annis.
She added: "The building is unusual in the quality and completeness of its interior which provides a unique example of early Victorian church furnishings."
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