Castel parish rectory rented out after rector’s departure
CASTEL’S parish rectory has become the latest to be let after the departure of church rector the Rev. Scott Lamb.
But the parish is reserving the option to move any new rector into the building when one is appointed.
‘In light of the Synod review and the likelihood that a new rector would not be appointed within the next 12 months, the constables have decided to rent out the Castel rectory,’ said senior constable Kelvin Hudson.
He said the building was rented out previously when the parish was without a resident rector and the latest decision was taken after speaking to the Dean of Guernsey.
‘The constables have confirmed to him that if a new rector is appointed while the rectory is rented out, the constables would provide alternative, appropriate accommodation.’
Mr Lamb moved on from Castel at the end of last year to Slough.
The rectory stands next to St Matthew’s Church, above Cobo, and has four bedrooms as well as a large attic room.
The property was listed at rent of £4,500 a month.
Management of rectories has reverted to parishes following the recommendations of the Parochial Ecclesiastical Rates Review Committee in 2017, set up by the States. Its report paved the way for parishes to sell the buildings – following consultation with the Deanery Synod – once the occupant had moved out.
Exceptions are the rectories of St Peter Port and Vale, which are owned by the rectors and churchwardens.
However, in parishes where the building is no longer occupied by the rector it has been rented out, bringing in income for the parish.
Torteval’s rectory was turned into flats more than 30 years ago and the Forest’s has also been leased to a private tenant for many years.
St Sampson’s sold its rectory when the last rector expressed the wish to live in her own property, with the money made being held in trust for the purchase of a new rectory when a new minister is appointed.
