Rochdale council has shelled out on 'rescuing' an historic church - despite fears it could relaunch as a community hub and put existing venues out of business. Bosses agreed to buy Littleborough United Reformed Church - which dates back to the mid 19th century - at the latest cabinet meeting.
It is understood the authority will pay a six figure sum for the church and former Sunday school building, which had previously been marketed at £300,000. Church elders say the decision to sell to the council was not an easy one, but the problems of looking after a 150-year-old building were becoming a ‘burden to the congregation’, potentially putting its future at risk.
The deal allows the congregation to continue worshipping at the Victoria Street church. A statement from the elders read out at the meeting hit out at ‘conspiracy theorists’ who had peddled ‘deeply upsetting’ rumours about the move.
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