An unholy row has torn apart a previously blissful church congregation in a small town in Cheshire after the appointment of a controversial rector who has allegedly caused so much division some parishioners get a nosebleed talking about it.
Rev Dr Janine Arnott was appointed to her role in Malpas, near the Welsh border, in June 2022, and presided over her congregation at 14th-century church St Oswald’s as it dwindled from 60 to just ten.
Now the feud between the reverend and the town has become so heated an entire choir has been sacked, a bishop left furious, poison pen letters have littered the town and the chief bell ringer removed from their post.
The row escalated so severely that Right Reverend Bishop Mark Tanner has sent a letter warning of the ‘devastating’ effects to upset parishioners – and police have even become involved.
The last straw for locals is said to have come in May when, during VE Day celebrations, Rev Arnott was accused of refusing to allow a village choir to sing a rendition of I Vow to Thee My Country in the churchyard.
The discontent began during a meeting with the church choir in 2023, in which Rev Arnott told members they could no longer sing the Agnus Dei, which is a prayer that often precedes Communion, in Latin due to canon rules.
Resident Diana Webber resigned her position over the disagreement, and reported Rev Arnott ‘appeared to have taken a dislike to the choir.’
A PCC meeting held soon afterwards on Palm Sunday resulted in a vote of no confidence in Rev Arnott, which she lost by a landslide, led by disgruntled parishioner Liane Smith, 65.
Rev Dr Janine Arnott was appointed to her role in Malpas, near the Welsh border, in June 2022
Now the feud between the reverend and the town has become so heated an entire choir has been sacked, a bishop left furious, poison pen letters have littered the town and the chief bell ringer removed from their post
Following the meeting, Ms Smith was accused of attempting to publish minutes from the meeting in the parish newsletter, but this was vetoed by Rev Arnott.
Ms Smith told the Times: ‘They were shortened minutes, but they had the salient facts in. Just to fit on an A5 page in the back of the parish news. And that was considered ‘vexatious’.’
Rev Arnott reportedly then asked Ms Smith to step back from her roles related to the church and as editor of the parish newsletter – although is said to have made clear she was still welcome to attend church.
‘I thought that was quite excessive and had nothing to do with the fact that I had published, or attempted to publish the minutes,’ she said.
‘I left the church at that point [… ] My husband and I have been married for 45 years and have been churchgoers for that whole time. Now we no longer go to any church.’
Ms Smith’s departure prompted a flood of church laypersons to leave their positions, leaving Rev Arnott ever more isolated.
Malpas residents have reported being distressed by the feud that has taken over their once-peaceful town, with one telling journalists they couldn’t talk about it without getting a nosebleed.
Since her appointment, the rector has been accused of banning individuals from the church choir – which has since been disbanded – removing chief bellringer Ben Kellett and barring access to the bell tower with broomsticks.
Local Dr Gregory Williams, 60, said: ‘Within a short period of time, the director of music resigned and the choir left. A while later, the tower captain was locked out of the bell tower with no explanation given and the bell tower door was barricaded.
‘The bells fell silent. The congregation numbers soon collapsed, and at the current time, very little money is coming into the church.’
The row escalated so severely that Right Reverend Bishop Mark Tanner (right) has sent a letter warning of the ‘devastating’ effects to upset parishioners – and police have even become involved
Then this Easter, anonymous poison pen letters and flyers bearing the seal of the Diocese of Chester appeared on cars and were stuck to the walls of the Cathedral of Cheshire.
They read: ‘Dear Bishop Mark. Please do your moral duty and protect your flock. We shouldn’t have to keep toeing the line only to get demonised by you. It’s disgusting.
‘You wasted our time and kept your hands clean for three years now at our expense. You know it, as do we.’
Bishop Tanner was left so angry by the move he issued a letter to Malpas residents slamming them as ‘anonymous, factually incorrect, libellous, and sought by forgery to impersonate a bishop.’
He added: ‘The impact on any future recruitment of clergy to serve in Malpas is devastating.
‘We who have a long-term concern for the life and work of St Oswald’s Church need to realise how this behaviour will appear to any candidates in the future who are considering moving to serve the village.
‘If we wish to present a different image, we must take action to express the kind of community we believe ourselves to be. I am, of course, aware that there are other issues of concern in the church and village, and am fully engaged with every valid concern that is raised.’
The Church’s legal team also wrote to the PCC and accused critics of misogynism.
‘Of particular alarm is the misogynist tone of the letter – it is difficult not to comprehend the inference that your lawfully appointed incumbent is akin to a witch with a broomstick and the village should attend an ‘Open Forum’ on the matter,’ it read.
‘This isn’t childish or petty, it is unlawful and inexcusable harassment.’
The Diocese of Chester said: ‘We are concerned and deeply saddened by the ongoing tensions within parts of the Malpas church community which have presented significant challenges within the parish. The Bishop of Chester has been fully involved in responding to these matters and actively seeking a resolution.
‘It is entirely appropriate for parishioners to raise concerns or seek clarification on leadership and pastoral matters, however there appears to be an intention by some to cause damage, disruption, and division.
‘The police and other authorities are now involved due to the nature and content of these activities. The Rector is receiving appropriate support and will not be commenting publicly.
‘We continue to pray for healing and understanding within the parish and ask all involved to engage respectfully and constructively.’
A spokesperson for Cheshire Constabulary has asked anyone with information about the case to contact them.
A spokesperson for the Force said: ‘We can confirm that we have received reports of harassment related to the Church in Malpas.
‘The allegations were reported on Sunday April 20 and enquiries are in the early stages at this time.
‘Anyone with any information is asked to contact www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us quoting IML 2066815.’
