A WIRRAL church is to hand over control to a new group in a bid to maintain 'a witness for the gospel' in the area.

When it first opened, Bethesda Church in Bebington regularly had more than 150 people attending services.

But over the years, its membership has dwindled and now stands at 17.

The plan is to hand over control to a local organisation called Cornerstone, which will continue to run the church. 

Andrew Russell, church secretary and elder, told the Globe: "It is a difficult time, particularly for those who are older and for whom Bethesda has been their church for much of their lives.

"But we all agreed, in light of falling numbers, that this was the best decision to make."

Wirral Globe:

Andrew Russell, church secretary and elder, inside Bethesda church in Bebington. Picture: Paul Heaps

He continued: "I joined in 1973 and there were still more than 100 people in the congregation.

"It's been sad to watch the decline in numbers over the years.

"Sadly the church is down to a membership of 17, and most of those are aged 60 and over, the eldest being 98."

Situated in Bebington Road, the church was built and opened in 1927 by AH Boulton, who had built much of the town.

A couple of years later he built a church hall behind the church, known as the 'schoolroom', as it housed for many years a thriving Sunday School, with eight individual classrooms.

Wirral Globe:

Andrew Russell, church secretary and elder, inside Bethesda church in Bebington. Picture: Paul Heaps

Mr Russell, who is 73, continued: “The church is a Brethren assembly and was founded on certain beliefs and practices, which the church has sought to maintain throughout its 88 years of witness in Bebington.

"We lack young people able to lead the church into the future, and we have decided to hand the church over to another Christian group meeting at present in Port Sunlight, who have a wealth of gifted young people and pursue the same aims as we do.

"Our final service will take place on December 27. And to mark the ending of Bethesda Church we are holding a Thanksgiving Service on Saturday, November 28 at 2.30pm in the church. This will be followed by tea and cakes.

"We would love any who have had previous connection with the church to join us to thank God for all that he has done through it over the years.

"Various former members of the church will be taking part in the service, and there will be opportunity afterwards over a cup of tea, to share memories of past members and activities, of which there were many."