Church building to close after almost 150 years

The Reverend Murray George says the decision to vacate the buildings was made "very reluctantly"

Two church buildings are to close and be sold off as a result of dwindling congregations.

The grade II-listed Congleton United Reformed Church in Cheshire has been a place of worship on Antrobus Street for nearly 150 years, but was now too large for the congregation to maintain.

Malpas Community Church will also close its doors, with details of its final service set to be announced soon according to a post on social media.

Both decisions had been made "very reluctantly", Reverend Murray George said. He added it was still early days in the sale process and the buildings had not yet been put on the market.

The decision to leave the building in Congleton was made at the end of March following a long period of deliberation, he said, and years of trying to maintain and develop the venue.

Congleton United Reform Church on Antrobus Street is almost 150 years old

"It is a very big church, that's Grade II listed, and it's just become too big and too expensive for the current congregation," Mr George said.

Church leaders were now looking for other venues where they could come together for worship, he said.

A spokesperson for Malpas Community Church said it was "with deep sadness" that they were announcing its closure.

"The church congregation has been dwindling for many years now and are now at the point of an unviable congregation," they said in a statement posted on social media.

The building would be sold, they said, and hall hire would cease from 23 May.

There is now an "unviable congregation" at Malpas Community Church, according to a statement posted on social media

Group hirers had been made aware of the forthcoming closure and new arrangements were being made.

"There has been a non-conformist Church serving the Malpas area since the 1800s, times are changing and too many local chapels are now falling empty," the statement continued.

It is understood both congregations will still celebrate Easter in their respective church buildings.