Historic church put on market priced at £120k
THE Church of England is selling five churches in the Diocese of Manchester, including one in Rochdale.
With dwindling congregations the Church is looking for a new use to the historic buildings.
The 180-year-old Grade II-listed St John the Baptist church in Smallbridge is on the market at £120,000.
A spokesperson for the Church of England said: “Many of our church buildings are the centre of their communities and as well as providing worship space, they are vibrant places providing a range of services to the people who live in the area.
“In some parts of the diocese there are more church buildings than the population can sustain and others are in poor physical condition.
“When this is the situation decisions have to be made about the future of buildings and, after consultation, some churches are closed.”
St John’s closed in 2008 due to a dwindling congregation and spiralling repair costs - estimated at £250,000. Built in 1834, it is the oldest of the five up for sale.
According to the advert, it ‘would be suitable for a variety of commercial activities including children’s nursery, educational uses and as a surgery or clinical/ medical centre.’ Offices and residential conversion will also be considered. However, potential new owners must follow special guidelines, set out by the Church.
They are given a number of months - decided on case by case - to make sure that the property is wind and watertight.
Green fingered enthusiasts are warned not to plant ‘any trees or shrubs within three metres’ of the church wall or its buildings.
A number of these churches also come with a surrounding graveyard, which any new owners must not disturb or damage. Protected by the Church, any potential owner must allow access - if a written request is made - to those ‘wishing to visit/ tend particular graves in the property’.
Owners are not allowed to use the former church as a wedding venue.
They are also not allowed to use it as the headquarters for criminal organisation.
The other churches currently up for sale are:
●●Parkfield Holy Trinity, Middleton - £175,000
●●All Souls’, Heywood - £95,000 ●●St James’, Heywood - £135,000 ●●St James’, Bolton POA