UK Edition
Proms conductor in row with musicians' church after it bans 'non-religious' concerts
It's the spiritual home of musicians where Proms founder Sir Henry Wood is buried.
But a London church has become embroiled in a row with one of Britain's best-known composers after it announced it would close its doors to choirs and orchestras because their music was not religious.
Now part of a network founded by evangelical church Holy Trinity Brompton, St. Sepulchre Without Newgate Church, in Holborn, central London, will stop taking bookings from the classical musicians which have relied on it as a rehearsal and concert venue for many years.
The church became part of the evangelical group, which is known for its youth-friendly rock-band style of worship, in 2013.
Now classical groups are no longer welcome to rehearse and perform there - and resident choristers say they are "concerned that it will become a worship choir with drums and keyboards".
As well as Sir Henry's resting place the church has a book of remembrance for musicians and has windows commemorating singer Dame Nellie Melba and composer John Ireland.
John Rutter, who is known for composing, arranging and conducting choral music, said the decision meant the church had "betrayed" musicians, many of whom use it as a rehearsal and warm-up space for larger concerts including the Proms.
He said the timing of the decision was "significant" because of the retirement of the former Bishop of London Richard Chartres earlier this year. His successor has not yet been appointed.
"I know Richard Chartres was a great friend of music and he would have been the first to say 'come on'. But he is gone and so there's nobody else," he told the Daily Telegraph.
He said: "What this current vicar seems to be saying is that music is OK so long as it's part of a worship service. The concerts that take place in just about every church in the land, they're not OK, and rehearsals are not OK either.
"That flies in the face of the Anglican tradition."
In a letter sent to groups which used the church regularly, priest in charge the Reverend David Ingall said the church had become "conscious of the challenges of using a space dedicated to worship for non-religious hiring".
Mr Rutter said that Mr Ingall was "betraying the community that he purports to serve. He didn't have to take the job at the musicians church if he doesn't like musicians."
"The Church of England needs all the friends it can get. It shouldn't be making enemies - it's un-Christian," he added.
"Churches are and should be busy places where all can walk through the door and all are welcome. That's my feeling but it's obviously not his feeling."
A petition against the change, started by choir member Richard Robbins, has attracted almost 1,900 signatures.
Peter Foggitt, director of the Orlando Chamber Choir, which had a booking to use the church next year, said: "Is having a church that is silent a better demonstration of what the church believes and what it's there for than have a church full of people making music?"
In a statement a spokesman for the church said: "An increasingly busy programme of worship and church activities has led to ever higher demands on the church space, and the hire space is also shared with the church administration office."
He added that the church had been "greatly moved" by the reaction to the decision.
"We do wish to reiterate that we remain committed to our ministry as the National Musicians’ Church. In the coming weeks we will reflect and pray, and consult with members of the musicians’ community about how best to fulfil that ministry moving forward," he added.