Crooked Spire vicar issues heart-warming statement to people of Chesterfield amid coronavirus crisis

Amid the global coronavirus crisis, Reverend Patrick Coleman said the church will be open each day, serving as a place where people can contemplate and pray.

MORE: Coronavirus crisis leads to closure of Chesterfield theatres

Rev Coleman told the Derbyshire Times: “These are times when we have to consider what’s really important in life, what really matters, what makes us truly human.

“For all our faults, Chesterfield people are a proper community and there are so many ways already that people are supporting one another.

“Looking after neighbours and vulnerable people, keeping support services going, keeping laughing – this is what a good community does by its very nature.

“At the Crooked Spire the church will be open each day for people to visit, to think, to spend quiet time, to pray.

“All the normal services will take place as well, even if they will have to be behind closed doors to help in avoiding the spread of Covid-19.

“This is the parish church’s special role for the people of Chesterfield.”

Rev Coleman said as long as he remains healthy he will be a daily presence in the town centre and is happy to listen and talk, and to help wherever he can.

Covid-19 originated in China.

There are now around 200,000 cases worldwide and nearly 8,000 people have died as a result of the virus.

At the time of publication, Covid-19 had claimed 104 lives in the UK.

MORE: ‘We will get through this’ – Chesterfield businesses remaining positive amid coronavirus crisis