ONE final service will be held this summer to say farewell to the United Church in Trowbridge before it is sold off after it was deemed too expensive to upkeep.

It was announced just before Christmas that the United Reform Church Synod have no choice but to sell the Grade II listed buildings as repair work became financially unviable.

But now, the congregation have found a temporary home at the Park Club in Trowbridge which is where they will meet for morning worship from Sunday (May 1) onwards.

Rosemary Rees, 65 who has been part of the congregation for nearly 10 years, said their new home, while temporary, shows that the church wants to stay together.

She added: “The last service in July will be terribly sad and it is heart-breaking but we have no option to maintain the huge building costs. It is not a decision we have taken lightly.

“We are fairly upbeat about it and we see it as a new start. It is the next step forward and we are doing it to stay together as a congregation and we think it is a positive move.”

The services, to be held at 10am and 4pm on July 17, will also see the congregation pay farewell to Revd David Ellis who will be retiring after five years at the United Church.

The interim moderator taking Revd Ellis’ place will be Susan Henderson.

Revd Ellis, 65 said: “The final service in July will be emotional but it is about looking forward to new things.

“There will be a great feeling of sadness of going but also excitement and expectations of what is to come.

“The subject has been talked about for a long time and when they finally came to a decision, the synod also spoke of looking into the future which is promising and the church has adventures to have as do I so watch this space.

“Out of everything, my highlight would be if I can help the congregation settle into their new place so they can experience new opportunities then I would consider my job done.”

On retirement, Revd Ellis will be moving down to Hampshire from Holt to be nearer his daughter where he plans to have a 12-month rest.

Other community groups including the food bank, Alcoholics Anonymous and Slimming World, have also had to relocate from the United Church .