St Mary's Church becomes Cheltenham Minster
AN historic church became Cheltenham Minster at a special service yesterday.
St Mary's Church, believed to be the oldest building in the town, officially became a minster during a 3pm service.
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CHURCH SERVICE: Bishop Michael Perham of Gloucester, Bishop John Went of Tewkesbury, rector Tudor Griffiths and Archdeacon of Cheltenham Robert Springett
The Bishop of Gloucester Michael Perham led the service and officially declared the new status of the town centre church, which dates back to the 13th century.
St Mary's was filled to the rafters as people from across the borough, including MP Martin Horwood, attended the service.
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Church rector Dr Tudor Griffiths said: "One of the focuses of the church becoming a minster is on raising the profile of the heritage of the church.
"We are working with the tourist office to develop the tourism side of the church.
"It's all very exciting, and we are really looking forward to reaching more people through the church."
Around 7,000 people visit the church each year.
It is hoped that the minster status will double the number of tourists.
16 Comments
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by muddy
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 5:42PM
“Pity that the chaps in frocks and strange hats didn't unveil a plaque to commemorate the church workers they had to sack in order to pay for the ongoing costs of maintaining this irrelevant building.”
by honslknjklyt
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 11:45PM
“eyeopener, well done! No it wasn't a wind up, a sign I need glasses! I could have been certain I saw the word minister and not minster. It reads minster now but I wonder if it once read minister, with the track record of TIG it is possible but it could certainly be my mistake as well and so apologies to TIG if it was my fault.”
by eyeopener
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 10:15PM
“@ honslknjklyt
Are you winding us all up? Surely you have spotted that Minister and Minster are NOT spelt the same? They are in fact two DIFFERENT words. As the latest commercial says "You can tell the difference because they use different words, and different spellings."”
by honslknjklyt
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 9:58PM
“The point still stands - how can a church become Cheltenham minister?
Don't make sense at all to me.
That meerkat advert is creepy, the whole thing. I love real meerkats but I don't like them ones.”
by eyeopener
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 9:38PM
“@ Doorstop
Why criticise Christians for going to Church, when atheists do as well?
Don't believe me? Try http://tinyurl.com/broheht”
by eyeopener
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 9:35PM
“@ honslknjklyt
The headline said "St Mary's Church becomes Cheltenham Minster"
You said "How can a church become a minister? What rubbish."
Do you think the "Compare the Meerkats" advertising campaign might have been designed for you?”
by TIMONLINE2010
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 9:24PM
“http://tinyurl.com/b7doofd)”
by honslknjklyt
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 8:57PM
“How can a church become a minister? What rubbish.
If a church is a building then it is a building and cannot be a minister.
If a church is a congregation then how can that be a minister, they would be ministers?
Is it rubbish writing or just rubbish?”
by TIMONLINE2010
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 8:12AM
“Another unintelligent comment Lecorche!”
by Lecorche
Monday, February 04 2013, 11:20PM
“"More Mumbo Jumbo" sounds about right to me.”