All Souls Church, the huge 19-century gothic church which presides over Astley Street, Crompton and closed nearly 20 years ago may be revived by a group of members of the Muslim community in the area.

Churches like this need to remain alive and at the centre of the community. This church is beautiful and inspiring and it doesn’t matter what faith people are, the most important thing is people being able to make use of their local parish church. All Souls is phenomenal and the plans are fabulous!

Inayat Omarji, who was instrumental in forming the All Saints Crompton Community Centre Trust said:

I contacted the CCT after I decided something had to be done with this fantastic church, which was closed and the subject of vandalism, graffiti and other anti-social behaviour. We needed to put right everything that had gone wrong and get young people involved and try to change the perception of the church in the area to make it positive. The community has changed since the church opening in 1881 and the area is now predominantly Muslim. Talking to young people, parents and the elderly I found there was a big gap for a community facility.

Article reproduced from The Jem Issue No 72 - September