St Matthias Church to close doors after 128 years.

ST MATTHIAS CHURCH TO CLOSE DOORS AFTER 128 YEARS

ST MATTHIAS Church on Manchester Road, Stocksbridge, is to close its doors for the final time after 128 years of serving the community.

The church is the largest in the area, seating up to 500 worshippers and delving back through history records a time when 1,000 people were in attendance.

However, the congregation has vastly dropped in recent time, dropping to 43 five years ago and now to just 15 on some Sundays.

St Matthias was built in 1890 in memory of Samuel Fox, the founder of Stocksbridge’s steelworks. It is full of artefacts relating to its history and although alternative uses for the building were considered in an attempt to keep it open, none of them have worked.

However, before the church is closed forever, there will be one last celebration. On Wednesday July 18, at 7.30pm, the Right Reverend Dr Pete Wilcox, the Bishop of Sheffield, will present a special service and the community are invited to give St Matthias the send-off it deserves.

All previous vicars of the St Matthias have been invited and anyone who has been christened, married or confirmed there is especially urged to attend.

The building will be sold off by the Diocese of Sheffield.