IT is an end of an era in Halesowen as Bethel Mission Free Church in Hasbury is closing for good next week.

The six-strong congregation, who have a combined age of nearly 500, have decided to call time on the Hagley Road church which was formed in 1920.

Irene Layton, who got married in the church, announced the last service would be on Sunday, October 18 at 10.30am.

She said: "There is only five or six of us and it is getting harder to carry on with every passing week.

"Sadly it is a sign of the times, but there are only five of us, two are 85, one is 87 and I am 83-years-old so it is time to close the church."

The church was formed in 1920 and has done countless charitable deeds over the years including helping the penniless workers on the historic Jarrow March in 1936.

"The congregation got together and helped the jobless Jarrow workers when they marched to London in 1936 and gave them food and shoes.

"And every Christmas for years the church would provide presents for the poorest children in the community."

She added: "It is impossible to say how many good deeds the church did for the people of Hasbury and Halesowen since we opened in 1920."

The last service is entitled Harvest of Memories and anyone who has had a connection with the church over the years is invited.

Mrs Layton said: "Harvest is a very important date in the church calendar but this will be our final service so we are asking people for their memories.

"I have so many as I was married in the church and have lots of family memories tied in with the church."

The church moved from its original premises in Rumbow to its present home in 1971 and problems with the building is another factor in its closure.

Former deacon and congregation member Ed Pettit, aged 64, said: "We really should have closed ten years ago but we all carried on because we did not want the church to close.

"But with the age of the congregation and the building needing improvements we cannot afford so it is the right time to call it a day."

The last service at Bethel Mission Free Church will be at 10.30am on Sunday, October 18.