A COMMUNITY church, which has been open since 1875, was being demolished this week after the building became unused due to a dwindling congregation.

Birtenshaw Methodist Church, in Bromley Cross, was subject to a local campaign which attempted to keep the building and its adjacent village hall open.

However, following a church council meeting, officials decided that the congregation was not large enough to continue to maintain the building, and that there were not enough people to complete important jobs.

The building was put on the market in August last year by chartered surveyors Lamb And Swift, working on behalf of the Methodist Church organisation.

The church’s minister, the Rev Hilary Howarth gave an emotional farewell to the congregation at the final gathering of the church last year, which she called “bittersweet”.

She said: “It is right to celebrate the influence and mission the church has had within the community and the lives of those who have been changed by the love of God found within these walls and beyond in daily ministry and service.

“We shall raise the roof with our praise as we give thanks to God and for all he has done in our lives and in this place.

“It is also a bitter day as we cease to worship in the church that has been important in the lives of so many — you will hear some of their stories during our worship this afternoon.

“It is with sadness and a lot of soul searching that the decision to cease to meet was made, but the life of the church goes on and we shall find our place within the body of Christ as we move on to another place.”

The foundation stone to the building was laid in 1874 and the chapel was originally built in brick before a new stone front was put on in 1923, with the hall added in 1888.

However, plans to shut the pair have been on the cards since 2004, according to Assistant Minister Rev Philip Belli.

He said it was only the efforts of the congregation and the Methodist Church which had allowed operations to continue.