It’s amen for church services

Wrigley Mill Methodists Church, Diggle

FEARS have been raised over the future of Wrigley Methodist Church in Diggle, after it was announced religious services are to come to an end this month following dwindling support.

Churchgoers will mark the end of an era spanning 148-years during the last service on Sunday, June 26.

Minister Pete Shepherd said: “It was a very tough decision to come to, but members wanted it to be their decision.

“They’ve been very courageous, it’s a bit like coming to terms with a bereavement.

“We’ve seen a steady decline in the number of worshippers, we’ve lost people who have died or moved out of the area.”

Control of the building will be handed over to the Oldham and Saddleworth Methodist Circuit, who will have to make a decision on its use as a community resource.

Talks are in the initial stages about the transfer and potential avenues for the building, but groups who regularly use the church hall are worried about their future. The news was a knock-back for 70 girls who are members of the First Steps dancing school, who have been based there for the past 17 years.

Organiser Gillian Kols said: “It’s a major problem for us but hopefully it won’t happen overnight.

“It’s sad, it’s been the perfect location for us.”

Becky Symons runs a weekly Slimming World club, with 35 members meeting every Tuesday.

She said: “It’s a real shame, our group is thriving.”

The Rev Shepherd is now urging as many people as possible to take part in the final service from 3pm where there will follow a display of memorabilia charting the church’s history.