Plans to close a village church in North Staffordshire have sparked concerns from community leaders.

Forsbrook Methodist Chapel has been a place of worship for almost 170 years but trustees of Forsbrook and Blythe Bridge Methodist Church are now seeking permission to "discontinue worship" at the Chapel Street site and sell off the building.

In a post on social media following the decision, they said the building was "no longer viable going forward" and they were faced with an "extremely difficult decision."

The statement added: "We are by no means unaware of the numerous fond memories of Forsbrook Chapel held by many in our community – and indeed within our church itself.

"Our Blythe Bridge site will remain open and continue to provide a place of worship for all within the community of Forsbrook and Blythe Bridge."

Forsbrook Parish Council is concerned that the decision to close the chapel was made behind closed doors however. And it said requests to view church accounts and minutes from the meeting were refused.

A statement from the parish council posted on social media said: "The parish council has attempted on numerous occasions to engage with Blythe Bridge Methodist Church on this matter, each time they have refused to engage with us.

"Offers of potential financial aid have been made, offers to hold council meetings there to increase the community use and again bring additional income into the church were offered.

"A proposal for the parish council to lease the chapel and take on all repairs and maintenance of the chapel with the congregation having full unrestricted use was also suggested. All were met with resistance and ignored.

"The capacity of the chapel is about 28 at present and the numbers attending the services and the fellowship group – which meets on a Tuesday – have been growing steadily.

"The services are now attended by at least 15 people and the fellowship group is more than that.

"The parish council fails to see how a chapel which is over half full every time and the numbers are growing should be cut off and closed, when attendances at churches generally across the country are falling.

"The congregation at Forsbrook were even prepared to run the majority of the services themselves requiring a minister only infrequently to administer communion.

"The parish council have reached out to the head office of the Methodist Church and expressed our concerns about the lack of collaboration and insight."

A Methodist Church spokesperson said: "The Church Council for Forsbrook and Blythe Bridge Methodist Church has voted to cease meeting at Forsbrook and focus its worship at Blythe Bridge.

"The regular congregation at Forsbrook has declined in numbers and is no longer sustainable while the building is in need of repair and renovation with accessibility issues that would require significant investment.

"No community groups are currently using the building but we would be happy to consider offers for its purchase subject to Charity Commission regulations."

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