A CHURCH is set to close its doors for the final time in 2018, the same year as its 150th anniversary.

Tillingham Congregational Church on South Street has operated in the village since 1868, carrying out services, weddings, funerals, prayer meetings and bible studies.

It began with a strong following, but recent dwindling numbers have led the remaining congregation members to close the premises.

The church’s minister, Phil Grove, also serves at Tollesbury. But he rarely gives a service to more than a handful of people in the past few months in Tillingham.

The congregation at present meets every other Saturday at 10.30am, considerably less regularly than previous times.

Chris Shaw, one of the church’s few remaining members, said that rising costs and lack of membership had led to the services becoming less popular.

She said: “It’s the way of the world at the moment, the fact of the matter is less people across the country go to church now.

“With Tillingham there just isn’t the membership. We’ve had a few people who were regular attendees pass away, and there’s no one in their place.

“We certainly won’t be the first church in Tillingham to close, a few others have been and gone before.

“Several church buildings will just stand derelict after being officially closed. I’m not sure what would happen to ours.”

The congregational church will be two Christmas socials in the next couple of weeks, which are likely to be the last before it closes.

On Sunday at 3pm there will be a get together for carols and other singing followed by refreshments.

On Christmas Day, there will be a short service at 10.30am, with people being invited to bring their opened Christmas presents and wear their Christmas jumpers.

These events are set to be a “swan song” for the church before they close for good.

Chris said: “We have around two or three full time members of the congregation, so the way it is the costs of running the church are too much to keep going.

“We do get some support from members of the public when it comes to the Christmas events and other seasonal services.

“It will be a real shame for the church to close during its 150th year, and I really think people will miss it once it’s gone.

“We’re more or less certain it will definitely happen in 2018, though we don’t know an official date yet.”