Vicar promises no ‘mosh pits’ in plans for church to become music venue, says ‘windows are too high to get smashed’

Heavy metal loving vicar has also applied for an alcohol licence, saying money raised from gigs will fund outreach work

The Rev Thomas Plant, vicar at St Michael's church, Camden, London (Twitter)

A vicar who has applied for an alcohol licence as part of a plan to hire out a church as a music venue has reassured his congregation there will be no "mosh pits" and the windows are “too high to get smashed”.

The Reverend Dr Thomas Plant of St Michael’s church in Camden, London, plans to turn the 19^th century building into a live venue to raise money for repairs and ongoing outreach work.

Father Plant told The Independent the community work that would benefit from the venture includes the church's free legal drop-in service, its AA group and its work with the homeless, while hosting gigs will also be a way to put the building on the “cultural map”.

But while the vicar is known for his love of heavy metal, the church will be hosting acoustic artists such as folk and classical musicians, with other types of events planned for the future.

Father Plant added that church is keen to engage with people in the local community through the new plans, and welcome people from all kinds of sub-cultures who “assume the church is not for them”.

Some churchgoers had raised concerns over the possibility of heavy metal bands playing in the 19^th century building due to the vicar’s taste in music, but local Gary Cunningham told The Telegraph that Father Plant has promised there is no need to worry.

“There have been worries about heavy metal bands raised, as Father Plant makes no secret of his love of heavy rock, but he has told everyone not to worry, he won’t be inviting AC/DC or Metallica along!”

Father Plant told the Camden New Journal “the windows are too high to get smashed and we’re not talking here about metal gigs and a mosh pit”.

When asked if serving alcohol in an area where there are issues with street drinking was responsible, Father Plant said the church is “not a place to come and get drunk,” but equally does not “shy away” from alcohol. “We believe Jesus turned water into wine for a reason,” he said.

Speaking to The Independent, he said that the church will be selling local beers and wines but not spirits, and there will not be any drinks promotions. “There will be nothing with a high alcohol content, we’re pretty firm on that,” he said.

Instead the vicar said he sees the church putting on ”Christian-themed day-long festivals with spoken word, art, drama and temporary artistic displays, anything that creates an interface between the Christian faith and the outside world”. These will be “to allow people to think intellectually about spiritual matters in whatever form,” he added.

A number of churches in England now double up as music venues, from York Minster to Union Chapel in London, the latter of which also serves alcohol to gig-goers.