CONGREGANTS of a church in Castle have spoken of their sadness after it closed.

The closure after 123 years, has been blamed on the lack of funds available to maintain the church, which is in a bad state of repair.

A large congregation attended the final Sunday service, which was taken by the Rev Chris Tolley last week, where many happy memories were shared.

The Northwich United Reformed Church on Castle, affectionately known as the Chapel on the Hill, was founded on July 27, 1881, and the URC formed in 1972 when the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches joined.

Congregant Gwili Lewis said: "It is very sad. There are some people who had their christening here, went to Sunday school here, who were married here and are still congregants here. It is really upsetting for them.

"The fabric of the building is getting into a bad state.

"The heating system has been condemned and we also have the demands of health and safety regulations to accommodate the disabled. The brickwork is crumbling and the costs are just too high to be able to maintain it."

Towards the end of the service, members of the congregation were given an opportunity to say a few words.

Treasurer Denis Cain reflected on the glorious history and its place in the community life in the Castle area with many organisations based at the church.

Janet Kuypers referred to the military style red jacket she was wearing and said: "We are marching forward confidently into a new era in the church's life."

The URC will keep a presence in Castle, being accommodated by the Methodist church.

Members of the URC will hold Sunday services at noon while the evening service at 6pm will be a joint service with one a month arranged by URC.

Its schoolroom and ancillary rooms will continue to be used for a pre-school nursery and by DAN for its artistic development projects.