Village chapel’s last service is celebrated

The congregation sang hymns and finished with a communion service at the church, which was built in 1838.

Rev Helen Nice, minister at the chapel, said: “The village has changed out of all recognition since the chapel was built.

“It has completed its mission - it is sad in a way but there is a lot to thank God for and celebrate.”

Rev Nice added: “A lot of people who had been associated with the chapel in the past came to the service, which was lovely.”

David Brown (58), a part-time organist at the church who has attended since he was aged ten, said he was saddened by the news but times had changed.

“As Christians we are told to be a witness to God’s word and interpret it in terms of the 21st century.

“It is better perhaps to practice purposeful work at a nursing home for example.”

Edingley Church was part of Newark and Southwell Methodist Circuit - a group of thirteen Methodist churches situated in and around Southwell and Newark.

The movement that eventually became the Methodist Church was started by John Wesley in the late 18th century.

There are over 6,000 Methodist churches in Britain with a total membership of about 330,000 people.

There are around one million people in Britain who have an active connection with the Methodist Church and around 70 million such people across the world.

Newark and Southwell Methodist Circuit will now have responsibilty for selling the building at as high a price as possible, a spokesperson confirmed.