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‘Frozen in time’ church goes under the hammer

A dilapidated church building, described as ‘frozen in time,’ is to be sold at auction later this month by property auctioneer Pugh.

St Hilda’s CE Mission in remote Hollingworth Fold, near Hollingworth Lake, has laid empty since it closed in the late 1990s. Over the years, it has fallen into a state of disrepair with smashed windows, broken roof tiles and weeds growing up the outside.

The former place of worship is now set for a new future, with a guide price of £25,000 in this month’s sale.

Pugh associate director Edwards Feather said: “The building has been derelict for many years now and we’re delighted to be playing our part in helping to secure its future. “Due to its historic past, the church is a very well-known iconic building in the district and we’re anticipating a great deal of interest in it.”

The 7,800 sq ft site is suitable for a variety of future uses including possible development potential, subject to any necessary planning consents. Access is via a private road accessible from Skyes Road, off Rakewood Road. The church is a mile from Littleborough and five miles from Rochdale.

Records at Touchstones local studies library show that in the 1870s there were around 250 Catholics in Littleborough. They banded together and in 1878 built the church on its original site on Featherstall Road.

It became known as the ‘Iron Church’ as it was made of metal sheets. It was later bought by the Mission of St Hilda, dismantled and re-built at Hollingworth Fold in 1931, until it was closed due to structural problems.

Bidding on the former church and the other lots in Pugh’s online property auction, opens on 18 October and closes the following day.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Kilmurray .