Latest news with #StJohnsChurch
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Church reopens after anti-social behaviour 'reset'
A churchyard in a town centre has reopened after it was forced to close for a month because of anti-social behaviour. St John's the Baptist's Church in the centre of Glastonbury, Somerset, stopped all church-related activities, other than Sunday services and funerals, during May for a "reset". David Smith, churchwarden said it was a "horrible" decision to close but added: "The raised gravestones were being used as shop counters for open drug dealing - that obviously is unacceptable." The decision split opinions in the town but Avon and Somerset Police said the closure was "challenging", but a "necessary" step to protect safety. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset The church say they're working with Glastonbury Town Council, local businesses and the Police as the churchyard reopens. Mr Smith continued: "I believe the closure was the reset we needed and we've had good feedback from the public as we reopened." Paul Manning is a town councillor and runs a business just off the High Street and said anti-social behaviour in the town is a "barrier" to tourists. He said: "The businesses at the top end of the High Street suffer because of anti-social behaviour. We need to all work together to address this." It comes after the BBC reported in January that some Glastonbury shop workers said more work needed to be done to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour. A police spokesperson previously told the BBC: "We have been working closely with representatives from the church and the local authority to combat anti-social behaviour in and around Glastonbury." Dandelion Chalice runs a business in Glastonbury and said it was a "huge shame" to close the churchyard. He said: "I felt it was upsetting to shut a Christian place of worship. "But I understand it as the churchyard was much more peaceful when it was closed. "You can't have people fighting next to families having picnics." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Churchyard closes due to anti-social behaviour Calls for more action on crime, despite crackdown
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Community unites after fire damages historic church building
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Parishioners from the St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein went to mass this Sunday at the Precious Blood Church over in Chickasaw. The church community was invited to the nearby church because of a massive fire that heavily damaged the 135-year-old building on Thursday evening. 'A big loss': Church steeple, roof collapse in massive Maria Stein fire 2 NEWS spoke with two community members about the drastic change in their lives, Ted and Sarah Burgmen, who live close to St. John's. 'It's like our world changed,' said Sarah, 'we thought of all the baptisms, first communions, weddings and funerals which happened there. Over 135 years is quite a history of things that can't be replaced.' The pair spoke on how the community is looking forward. 'People will rebuild that church,' said Ted. 'The building's gone, but the people aren't.' 'The building is a building, but the church is our community,' said Sarah. The two churches have been closed before. When St. John's was being repainted, Precious Blood invited over their parish for four months. 'Everybody works with each other,' shared Ted. 'This is one great big community here.' Maria Stein community assesses damage after devastating church fire Dr. James 'Jim' Schwieterman spoke with 2 NEWS as he visited the fence outside of St. John. 'This is my community,' said Schwieterman. 'All the sacraments for me, my mother, my grandparents and my great grandparents, all started here at St. John's church. They say 'you try to make the unreal real' and so you come out here to process the loss.' He continued, speaking on rebuilding. 'I was asked, 'do you think they'll rebuild?' and I said I know they will. It's not an if, it's a when. The local community, Catholic and not alike, we band together. It's who we are, it's what we're about.' 2 NEWS will follow the St. John's community through these next steps. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
