A Bolton church has gone up for sale with a guide price of up to £200,000.

Blackrod Methodist Church will be sold by online auction later this year after efforts to save its future failed.

The church will be auctioned by estate agents Lambert Smith Hampton on September 11, with a guide price of between £180,000 to £200,000.

The church dates back to 1899.

Unconditional offers to buy the church site will be accepted and considered before this date, however.

The church site, which is approximately 506 square metres (5,448 square feet), dates from 1899 and is made up of a detached building arranged over lower ground, ground, and first floors.

The church, located on Church Street, closed its doors to worshippers in 2022.

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Church circuit gives thanks to members

The Wigan Methodist Circuit Superintendent said: “Blackrod Methodist church has been part of the local life of the town over many years.

“We give thanks for the part that members have played in overseeing its role as a church, looking after the building as a base for civic and community activities, and its continuing close relationships with Blackrod Church School, other churches and community organisations.

“By 2021, serious concerns were expressed about the increasing costs of running the building, fewer church officers able to manage the church, small numbers supporting the church’s work, and the unsuitability of the premises for contemporary church and community outreach.

“Recovery following the pandemic has been difficult, even with the help of the Wigan Methodist Circuit, and so, at the Blackrod Church Council in 2022, it was decided that the church would have to close for weekly worship until further notice.

“A service of thanksgiving was held, and a public meeting was hosted to consider options for the future.

“The wider Methodist Church seeks to offer a continuing Methodist presence in our area, to be a justice seeking church, with a particular commitment to partner others in building good community relationships which support those who feel excluded or marginalised.” 

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Estate agent invites offers

Richard Corby, head of office at Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “We’re delighted to bring the former Blackrod Methodist Church to market which provides excellent redevelopment potential (subject to planning).

“The property will be offered for sale by auction in September if not sold before, so unconditional offers are invited now and will be considered by our client.

“We have held a number of viewing sessions and interested parties have ideas for a range of potential uses.”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.