Squatters 'ransacked our church': congregation forced to pray in the street

 
Break in:Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Southwark Picture: Nigel Howard
SQUATTERS have broken into a London church for a fourth time this year, leaving the congregation to pray on the street outside. PICTURE BY: NIGEL HOWARD Email: nigelhowardmedia@gmail.com
20 December 2013

Squatters have broken into a church, forcing its congregation to gather for services in the street.

The Grade II-listed Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Southwark was allegedly ransacked after 15 squatters moved in.

Churchgoers said it was the fourth time the building had been occupied since summer despite regular services and a caretaker living on-site.

One member of the congregation said the property had been “gutted” and accused squatters of running up a £700 telephone bill and auctioning religious candle holders online.

Prayer service: The church was taken over by squatters Picture: Nigel Howard

The churchgoer, who did not want to be named, said: “The squatters took fuses, which left the church without any light, took food, chairs and tables, stole TVs, computers, armchairs, and the microwave, everything of value, and also used electricity and gas that did not belong to them.”

A drum kit, tambourines and guitars were stolen and a worshipper’s car is locked inside the gate. Mattresses and rubbish are strewn outside and loud parties have been reported.

The latest occupation began last weekend. The squatters, aged between about 20 and 35, breached a security fence when the guard went for food — days after bailiffs evicted the previous group. Land Registry records show the trustees of the church, which was founded in Nigeria, have owned the building since 1984 and state that drinking alcohol inside is banned.

Church spokesman Robin Jones said: “We had someone staying there and they went for something to eat but when they returned we had been broken into again. Our pastor is very elderly and he’s at his wits’ end.”

Since the summer, damage has included graffiti, metal piping being stripped out and wash basins and lavatory cubicles smashed.

Break-in: Church spokesman Robin Jones Picture: Nigel Howard

On Wednesday night, Mr Jones confronted the new squatters, who told him to seek another court order. One man, called Arthur, said: “We were looking for shelter, the place was unsecured and we got in through an open window. We want to renovate the building to turn it into a community space.”

Since a change in the law last year, police can act when squatters take over a residential property that is lived in, but when it is a non-residential property it remains a civil matter. Officers can assist bailiffs during evictions to prevent breaches of the peace.

A Met spokeswoman said police removed squatters from the church on December 17. Officers returned two days later but “could not see anyone inside”.

On 25 November, officers evicted between 30 and 40 people who were using the premises illegally. “They had inflicted substantial damage including graffiti. The property had since been secured,” she said.

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