YOU would be forgiven for thinking Todmorden Unitarian Church, tucked away up Honey Hole Road, had long since ceased to operate as a place of worship.
Indeed, some local residents may even be old enough to remember its sad closure in 1987. All subsequent meetings were then held in The Lodge until 1992 when the local group finally gave up the ghost.
This beautiful building fell into disrepair, bu
t after the Historic Chapels Trust acquired the Church in 1994 it was placed in the care of a local management committee which has been doing a fine job ever since, giving up their weekends to help renovate the grounds.
More recently, things have begun to take shape. In the last month, toilets and a kitchen have been installed, and will be open for business mid July. A full PA system, with a loop for the hard of hearing, is also on the cards.
Perhaps the most fascinating development, however, is the re-introduction of worship meetings.
These friendly gatherings have been taking place on the last Thursday of the month for the past two months.
Unlike the more conventional worship meetings, the evenings at the Unitarian Church give an opportunity to meet friendly, like minded people in a relaxed environment, said a member of the management committee.
"The inaugural service took place on April 24 when a small gathering of people sat in a circle around a table of candles. Music was played, poems and stories were read. There were a few moments of silence. Refreshments were served to all," said the spokesman.
"The interesting aspect about the meeting was the absence of tradition; participants from all faiths were welcomed without exception in this totally accessible and friendly environment.
"Participants were encouraged to treat this as a totally inclusive meeting of warm hearted friends with no pre-defined boundaries and with a common theme of friendship and love.
“This theme continued at the next meeting which attracted more people than the previous and with a higher degree of curiosity." Past and future services are and will be led by Beryl Atherton, a local Unitarian minister.
The next meet will take place on Thursday, June 26, at 7.30pm and will last for about half an hour.
After this month the group are taking a break for the summer but will be back on the last Thursday in September.
The spokesman said that Todmorden Unitarian Church was well and truly back in business, with several big events lined up this month.
Saturday, June 28, sees the highly anticipated Rock n Roll Bingo event with rock n rollers The Wes Paul Band and White Ponies, bingo, tea and coffee.
The event is aimed at the over 50s in association with OAK but anyone is welcome to come. Tickets are £1 for over 50s and £2 for everyone else.
