Last-ditch plea for £160,000 to save church
 A historic church which has served Lowestoft's fishing community for more than 100 years will be sold for development unless £160,000 can be raised by the end of September.
The Bethel, in Battery Green Road, was put up for sale in April this year because of the dwindling number of fishermen in the town. Trustees of the Bethel launched an appeal in June to raise funds to save the church, which was established in another building in the town in 1850, but have now been given notice to quit the building by September 30 if they cannot afford to buy it.
The church is owned by the British International Sailors' Society (BISS), which wants to sell up and use the money to support thriving seagoing communities elsewhere.
The number of fishing boats sailing out of Lowestoft has dropped from about 200 every day in the early 20th century to fewer than 20 today.
John Durrant, one of the trustees, said that in spite of donations from many people in the town to the appeal fund, they are "nowhere near" being able to make an offer for the building.
"The only way the Bethel can be saved now as an independent church serving the community of Lowestoft is for someone to come up with a donation of £160,000 in the next few days," he said.
It is understood that BISS has already received an offer of £155,000 from a potential developer for the building, which opened in 1899 when Lowestoft's famous beach village housed about 2,500 involved in the port's fishing industry.
Pastor Morris Baldry said he was sad that the building was being sold. He said: "We hope that even at this late stage a benefactor comes forward and the church can continue to serve the people of Lowestoft.
"Even if the building is sold we will still try to find another building in Lowestoft where the congregation and fellowship of the Bethel can continue to meet."
The church holds Sunday services, weekly activities, funerals, weddings and child dedications, as well as providing a venue for meetings of local charities and community groups.
Anyone who would like to help save the Bethel or knows of a suitable building in Lowestoft where the congregation can continue to meet can contact Pastor Baldry on 07771 567216.
Pictured above is pastor Morris Baldry in the Bethel.
Story and picture courtesy of www.edp24.co.uk
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