BULLDOZERS are set to demolish a historic Cradley Heath church whose congregation moved out seven months ago.

Escalating repair costs topping £750,000 and declining numbers of worshippers led to the closure of St Luke’s last October.

No other use for the building, which served the town for more than 150 years, could be found, so the Diocese of Worcester has applied to Sandwell Council for permission to pull it down.

A diocese spokesman said it had not yet been decided what will happen with the footprint of St Luke’s after demotion.

It could be used for more burials and for ashes to be interred or it might be left as a green space for the community to use, but further discussions will take place between the parish and the local authority.

The site, in Upper High Street, has to remain open as a graveyard and will remain open to the public. Machinery will be used to tear down parts of the building, but sensitive areas close to graves will be demolished by hand.

The small congregation of around 15 moved to St John’s Church at Dudley Wood, but a community link was maintained with the opening of a community drop-in centre in High Street, which offers social activities and support.

The Archdeacon of Dudley, Nikki Groarke said: “Every parish is responsible for the care and maintenance of their own church building. In this instance, the Parochial Church Council of Dudley Wood and Cradley Heath decided that, sadly, it was beyond their economic means to repair and maintain the vast St Luke’s Church.”

He added: “After seeking professional advice, demolition has been agreed as the best course of action, so that the site can revert to churchyard use and continue to be a place of prayer and tranquillity for the local community.”

A final decision to grant permission to demolish the building is expected in a few weeks