A HISTORIC Grade II-listed church has gone up for sale — and locals are praying it won’t be demolished.

The Iron Church in Blackburn Road, has been put on the market for £375,000.

Planning permission was obtained in February, 2017 for it to be used as a training, education and community centre.

Margaret Koppens, secretary of Halliwell Local History Society, described the prominent building as a ‘landmark’ and said it was a shame it was no longer being used as a church.

She said: “It is just the fate of all churches. They all seem to be closing because people do not go to them any more.

“The congregation used to come from people who lived in the streets around the church but that is not the case any more.

“It would be a shame to see it demolished because it was given to the town by Lord Leverhulme.

“It is a landmark in Blackburn Road. It is something that everyone sees and it would be such a shame to see it go.”

The church was originally made out of corrugated iron, which is where the name comes from, and was opened in 1872.

It was replaced by the current building which was opened in 1897.

It was home to a large Sunday school, which had Lord Leverhulme as a major benefactor.

The final congregation worshipped there in 1990 and the building has had a number of different uses since then.

These include as an antiques centre, a furniture store and, more recently, as a wedding venue.