Unholy row over tin tabernacle

Some parishoners want the church torn down

A church made out of corrugated iron and wood has become the subject of a row in Lincoln.

Many parishioners at St Matthews want their "tin tabernacle" demolished to make way for housing.

But others say the building is a modern classic.

The church is a listed building that was built in 1912 with a corrugated iron roof.

It originally had a life expectancy of about 20 years but nearly 90 years later it is still standing.

It would cost £200,000 to restore the church

A recent survey indicated that it would cost as much as £200,000 to turn it back into a working church.

With only a dozen people attending its last few services, many parishioners think it is not worth saving.

Church warden Tony Gadd said: "I don't know how it ever came about to be a listed building in the first place."

"Unfortunately it is so far past its sell-by date and has deteriorated to such an extent that I cannot believe it was inspected at all."

There are only a handful of so-called "tin tabernacles" left in the UK and the final decision on what will happen to the church rests with the Department of Culture.