A church building that’s seen better days and described as being "frozen in time" is set to go under the hammer at auction later this year by property auctioneer Pugh.
St Hilda’s CE Mission is located in remote Hollingworth Fold near Hollingworth Lake which is a short drive - around 30 minutes - from Oldham.
It closed in the late 1990s and has laid empty since. In the time that has passed since then, the church has fallen into a state of disrepair and now has smashed windows, broken roof tiles and weeds growing up the outside.
The former place of worship could do with a makeover and has a guide price of £25,000 in the October sale.
Pugh associate director Edwards Feather said: “The building has been derelict for many years now and we’re delighted to be playing our part in helping to secure its future.
“Due to its historic past, the church is a very well-known iconic building in the district and we’re anticipating a great deal of interest in it.”
The 7,800 ft site still has some life left in it and it’s suitable for various future uses including possible development potential, subject to any necessary planning consents.
The property is accessed via a private road accessible from Skyes Road, off Rakewood Road.
The church is a mile from Littleborough and five miles from Rochdale.
Touchstones local studies library holds records that show there were around 250 Catholics in Littleborough in the 1870s.
They came together and in 1878 built the church on its original site on Featherstall Road.
It was made of metal sheets and so became known as the ‘Iron Church’.
That church was later bought by the Mission of St Hilda, dismantled and re-built at Hollingworth Fold in 1931.
The Hollingworth Fold church was used until it was closed due to structural problems.
Bidding on the former church in Hollingworth Fold and other lots in Pugh’s online property auction opens on Tuesday, October 18 and closes the following day.
The full catalogue is available to view via the Pugh Auctions website.
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