Published at 10:31, Saturday, 03 July 2010

A GOSPEL hall is to close after months of uncertainty.

FAREWELL: Sandside Gospel Hall in Kirkby is to close after a service next week

A final service will be held at Sandside Gospel Hall in Kirkby on Monday, three months after the initial notice was published in The Kirkby Caller.

The closure is a result of a dwindling congregation making it difficult to justify the hall continuing.

The news of the gospel hall’s closure comes almost a year after plans to close the Good Shepherd at Grizebeck were announced.

The Rev Malcolm Cowan, vicar of St Cuthbert’s C of E church in the village, said it was sad news to see another place of worship close.

Mr Cowan said: “It has served a wonderful ministry there over its long existence and brought people to know Christ in a special way.

“There is a time for these things and, like many of the missionary churches, the time has come and gone. This one stayed in a particular way for a long time and it was quite wonderful, I look forward to singing some wonderful choruses on Monday.”

Bob Morrish, clerk to the parish council, said it was another sad loss to the religious community.

Mr Morrish said: “The closure of any religious order is always a shame. It is sad news for the village.”

Residents have spoken at their sadness that the venue will close its doors for the final time on Monday.

One man, who grew up doors away from the gospel hall, said visitors always received a warm welcome.

He said: “Dozens of children used to go, it had a good following at one point.

“It was always a very jolly place, it will be sad to see it go.”

One woman said: “When I was younger we used to go to Monday night classes at the hall, it was quite popular. It’s sad news it will go, there is a lot of history for its members.”

Tim McShane, who runs the website www.gospelhall.org.uk, said there has been a steady decline in the number of gospel halls due to changing attitudes and a largely secular society.

He added: “Generally speaking, there was a period in the 80s and 90s when the generation that had got to their 40s were looking for something else more lively.

“The gospel hall movement has very strict guidelines and people felt the joy wasn’t there – instead they leaned towards evangelical churches.

“Many halls changed their names or saw a smaller, more elderly congregation.

“They have declined seriously over the past 20 years.”

Elders from the church declined to comment on the gospel hall’s closure.

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