170-year-old Cradley Heath church forced to close over £750,000 repair costs
A church at the heart of Cradley Heath will close after almost 170 years of worship because of escalating repair costs, estimated at £750,000.
The congregation at St Luke's, in High Street, will leave the church, which has been open since 1847, next month. They will move to St John's Church, Dudley Wood, after a final service on October 19.
The Rev Alicia Baker said work was needed to make the church 'useable' including replacing the roof and waterproofing the building.
Leaders decided to close the church because they couldn't afford the work as they were already struggling to pay bills.
The Rev Baker said: "Because of the huge cost of repairs to the building, approximately £750,000, its time for the congregation to move on.
"The church council decided that the building was becoming in such a bad state of repair that it was going to become unusable. At the time also the congregation was diminishing in size and we weren't managing to pay our bills. We had to pay at the time £12,000 to the diocese every year, and we weren't managing to pay that. All in all that's why they made the decision."
She added that she did not think there would be an issue for the congregation moving to the new church, as those who attend currently drive or are driven.
"Over recent years we have joined in together for worship and social events as well as fundraising and community work so the pain of leaving our beloved building will be lessened knowing that we have a welcoming place waiting for us. It also means that weddings, baptisms and funerals will now take place at St John's," added the Rev Baker.
The church's presence on the High Street will remain but in the form of Cradley Heath Community Link opening at number 30.
The Rev Baker said: "This is primarily a place where people can drop-in but it will accommodate the foodbank and other facilities that the community sees a need for."
The church will be holding an open day on September 20 between 10am and 4pm for anyone who would like to have a last look before it is closed. The Bishop of Dudley, the Right Rev Graham Usher, will lead the final act of public worship at 10.30am on October 19.
