Halesowen church shuts doors after 100 years as numbers dwindle

The number of people attending the Bethel Mission Free Church in Hasbury, Halesowen has shrunk to a mere handful so the remaining members of the congregation have decided to wind the church up.

A Harvest of Memories celebration later this month will be the final chapter in the church's history.

Trustee Irene Layton, aged 83, has been going to the church for more than 70 years and has seen its numbers decimated in recent years.

Retired building company director Mrs Layton joined the church when she was just 10 - and the numbers were booming.

She said it has been saddening to be forced to shut the church down, but this reflects a wider problem for other religious offerings.

Mrs Layton, of Islington, Halesowen, said: "Unfortunately we're going to have to close due to dwindling numbers.

"You want to keep putting it off for as long as you possibly can but unfortunately the miracle we needed didn't happen.

"There's not really much we can do - we've held coffee mornings and done other things to try to raise some interest but to no avail."

It is a far cry from when Mrs Layton joined the church in the 1940s.

The church also holds special memories for Mrs Layton, as it is where she married her husband, where his funeral was held and also where her sister's funeral was held.

She said: "Back then we used to have Sunday school and we used to have evening services which were very well attended.

"It's amazing how much things can change from one generation to the next.

"I think when we close down it will be a sad day but we've got to think of all the old memories that have made us laugh over the years - that's why we wanted to call it a Harvest of Memories.

"One of the things that hasn't helped us in terms of numbers is probably where the church is situated.

"There are no young families around - the people living next to the church have been three for years."

Mrs Layton said she recalls the church, which is non-denominational, being packed to the rafters in its pomp.

She said: "I remember when we used to have Sunday School outings and the ladies and girls would play the men and boys at cricket.

"It used to be so busy, it was fantastic."

At the moment there are no concrete plans for the church building in Hagley Road but this could be sold in due course.