A CHURCH which has been the cornerstone of a village’s life for well over a century is set to close permanently - after surveys to ensure the site was safe totalled more than £250,000.

St John the Baptist in Dodworth announced that it would temporarily close its doors to its congregation over safety fears back in May.

Its roof has been in disrepair for some time and further surveys have revealed that the cost for repairs would total more than £250,000.

It has left the diocese with ‘no option’ but to close the site permanently, with a consultation meeting set to take place at Green Road Methodist Church on August 12 at 7pm.

Canon Keith Farrow told the Chronicle: “A new roof would need to have Welsh slate because it’s a Grade II-listed building so we’ve had some surveys done and the costs are now coming in in excess of £250,000.

“We simply don’t feel that we can raise that amount of money to deal with the amount of work that needs doing on the building.

“The building is - and has been - an important part of Dodworth life and we acknowledge that.

“I know many people have been married, baptised and had funerals held there.

“I understand the heartache but - and no pun intended - that doesn’t keep the roof over the church.

“We just feel that we really have no option.”