A WEST Dorset church is trying a last ditch attempt to stay open — by inviting other churches to twin with it.

The lack of both a congregation and the imminent retirement of its churchwarden forced Rector Stephen Skinner to call an emergency meeting to discuss the future of Stanton St Gabriel Church in Morecombelake. He sent a letter to residents to say if people at the meeting don’t come up with ideas - and crucially practical help - to save the church the process would begin to close it.

The Rev Skinner said the meeting had been quite well attended with various ideas suggested but no one had offered to actually help.

He said it was 'exceptionally disappointing'.

He said: “We had 21 local people from Morcombelake and Ryall and another 19 or so from the area around Whitchurch and beyond.

"We explained fully the reason why the church might have to be closed and explained what the process would be which is lengthy and difficult.

"There was quite considerable discussion. I explained it was important to get ideas of how the building could be used but also to get practical offers of help.

"There were plenty of ideas but no actual of offers of any help at all at the meeting which was exceptionally disappointing. There were clearly people who were pretty defeatist about the future - more or less saying there is no hope, which was not good."

It was after the meeting someone suggested the idea of twinning with other St Gabriel's.

He said: "That was the best idea we've had yet that we could work with them for a creative use of our building. Particularly it could appeal to a church in more urban areas as a lovely base."

He has found no other St Gabriel's nearby but he has approached churches all over the country from London, the Midlands to Merseyside.

The Rev Skinner added: "If something does come from one of them or several we will form a steering group to see if we can work on something with outside assistance because it is obviously not there in the community itself."

Other ideas suggested included an historical research centre, a place for quiet prayer and mediation, another faith group, a tourist information facility or children or youth centre.

He added said: "The big problem is a lack of parking "I personally think the twinning idea is by far the best because it has potential for bringing in a whole lot of outside energy and enthusiasm and expertise."

He said this outside help could potentially offer practical help like removing the pews, for more flexible seating, installing a toilet and small kitchen to turn the church into a useful facility for other groups to come for away days or leaderships days.

It looks almost certain there will be no churchwarden to replace 76-year-old Alan Bartlett, who intends to stand down at the annual parochial church meeting this month - so the decision has already been made to run only one service a month.

The Rev Skinner said they would explore the twinning idea for a few months and if nothing comes of it the process to close the church would go to the Salisbury Diocese.