A decline in Sunday worshippers and a “prolonged period of financial deficit” has meant that New Road Methodist Church on Biddulph Moor will close in the summer.
The minister, the Rev Yanyan Case, told members of the closure “with a heavy yet hope-filled heart”.
She said the decision had been made by the church council “due to ongoing financial pressures and the challenges of limited human resources”.
But plans are already in the pipeline to give the 135-year-old chapel on Hot Lane a new lease of life, possibly as a visitor centre for Biddulph Moor.
In the weeks leading up to the closure – the final service will be on Sunday, 5th July – a series of special services and celebrations will take place “to honour the past and look forward with hope”.
They include a concert by Biddulph Male Voice Choir and a “Songs of Praise”–style service.
In a letter to New Road Methodist Church members and friends about the closure, Ms Case, said: “This has not been an easy decision. We know deeply how much this church means to each of you.
“New Road is not just a building; it is a spiritual home, a place of memory, love, worship, and belonging. And yet, as a faithful community, we have come to recognise that sometimes the right decision is also the hardest one.”
She added: “We give heartfelt thanks for every person who has poured time, energy, prayer, and love into this church. Since 1891, this place has witnessed countless blessings and has served generations through worship, fellowship, and care. Its long and faithful history is something truly worth celebrating.”
Ms Case told the “Chronicle” about the pressures the church was under: “New Road Methodist Church has faced increasing and unsustainable challenges for many years.
“The income has consistently fallen short of its expenditure, resulting in a prolonged period of financial deficit. Projections indicate that available funds would be depleted by the summer.
“Alongside these financial pressures, the church has experienced a decline in Sunday attendance. There are 15 members but not all of them can attend Sunday services due to illness or family commitments. The congregation and volunteer base have become increasingly elderly, making it more difficult to sustain the regular life and ministry of the church.
“In addition, the ongoing demands of building maintenance have placed a further strain on limited resources. So, closure is a hard reality we have to face.”
Ms Case said New Road’s worshippers will be “warmly welcomed” by the other local Methodist churches, such as Biddulph and Hill Top on the Moor, and continued to be under her pastoral care. She added: “They may even continue their New Road fellowship group at a different setting.”
There are no plans to sell the church despite its closure. “Our circuit is aiming to repurpose the church building rather than for sale at the moment,” Ms Case said. “We have been having conversations with our town council to make it into a Biddulph Moor Visitor Centre so the building may continue to serve our local community in a different way.”
She said the services planned ahead of its closure would be to “celebrate and honour what we have achieved – for worshippers’ faithful service in the generations past, for the fun and laughter, for the friendship and community life”.
Biddulph Male Voice Choir will perform at the church for a special afternoon celebration entitled “A Time to Celebrate Community in Melody” on Sunday, 14th June, at 3pm.
A special “Songs of Praise” service will follow on Sunday, 21st June, at 3pm, featuring favourite hymns chosen by the congregation.
Ms Case said: “As we prepare to move on from this chapter of New Road’s story, we wanted to create opportunities for people to come together in thanksgiving and celebration.
Music has always been a powerful way of bringing communities together. The Methodist Church was ‘born in songs’.”
As the “Chronicle” reported last week, Holy Trinity Church in Mossley could close and be sold off under plans by the Parochial Church Council of All Saints in Congleton to protect the long-term viability of churches across the town.
More volunteers are needed to keep St Michael’s Parish Church open in North Rode as it “treads water”, not least because it has been unable to make its monthly payments to the Diocese of Chester.
(Photo: Google).
