Baptist Church in Shrewsbury town centre is demolished

Claremont Baptist Church is not listed

A prominent Shrewsbury church has been demolished as part of a £1.1m project to build a new church on the same site.

Claremont Baptist Church was built in the town centre in 1877 and only the attractive facade has been retained.

The new building will include an atrium at the front and has been partly funded by the sale of land and donations.

Minister Charles Crosland wants the new church to be more accessible: "We have a marvellous opportunity and we want to make a real difference to this town."

The site, on the corner of Barker Street and Claremont Street, is close to clubs, pubs, the sixth form college and shops in the town centre.

'Prime location'

Charles Crosland says he's excited about the possibilities

Mr Crosland said it was a "prime location" and hoped the new church would serve the community seven days a week.

He said: "We want to do all kinds of things with young people, senior citizens, really to be a building for all those people who visit the town or live in the town."

The Baptist minister added that they would need more grants and fundraising to pay for the new church.

Not listed

Describing his aspirations for the new church, Mr Crosland said: "I hope the building that arises in a year to 18 months is going to be more beautiful, it will certainly be more accessible, it will certainly be a better place to minister from."

Designs show an atrium at the front of the new church in Shrewsbury

The church which has been demolished was not listed, and replaced an earlier church built in about 1768.

According to Mr Crosland, the facade was retained in cooperation with conservation officers.

Claremont Baptist Church is part of Shrewsbury Baptist Church, which also includes Crowmoor Baptist Church in Monkmoor on the outskirts of the town.

Commenting on the sadness of pulling a church down, Mr Crosland said: "My overwhelming feeling is one of joy, it's one of excitement, it's one of the possibilities that stand before us."