A historic Stourbridge church has been put up for sale following its closure at the start of the year.

St John’s United Reformed Church, which dates back to 1860, held its last service on January 1st this year, after its congregation dwindled to around just eight members

The landmark grade two listed building had been home to numerous community groups and projects including Rainbows and Guides, the Black Country Foodbank and Black Country Radio. However groups have slowly left the building with Black Country Foodbank moving to Our Lady and All Saints RC Church Hall off New Road.

St John’s had also hosted music concerts and art exhibitions to try and invite the community in. However there had been no weddings, funerals or christenings for some time and the church had been left without a minister following Reverend Stuart Scott’s departure last October.

The roof had also been leaking and was in desperate need of costly repairs, so churchgoers decided it was time to move out and move on.

Owned by the United Reformed Church Trust, the 5,300 sq ft building has now been put on the market with commercial property specialists Bulleys – with offers in excess of £50,000 invited.

It is being marketed for continued use for religious purposes or as a property which could be suitable for other uses.