THREE congregations will worship together for the first time tomorrow — a week after two much-loved build- ings closed for good.

Theatre Church, in Astley Bridge, and Harvey Street Methodist Church, in Halliwell, are closing because they are being sold by the Bolton Methodist Church Circuit.

Both churches are to be sold as part of Bolton Methodist Cir- cuit’s plan to merge congrega- tions to a new church at Delph Hill.

staged at the Theatre Church unless funding can be secured to keep the building open for the community, while Halliwell Theatre Company took to the stage for the last time last Satur- day when it performed the clos- ing night of A Tomb With a View.

Theatre Church is used by many societies, including St Paul’s (Astley Bridge), Farn- worth Performing Arts Compa- ny and CATS Youth Theatre.

The groups will be allowed to rehearse in the building until any sale is completed, but book- ings are not being taken for public shows.

CATS hope to buy the theatre and keep it open.

The Bolton Methodist Church Circuit is fundraising for the new church, and it is hoped work on the building will start next spring.

People who have problems getting to Chorley Old Road should call 01204 593305.

Mr Martin will lead tomor- row’s service, which will start at 10.30am.

Tomorrow, the three Methodist churches in north Bolton — Astley Bridge, Chorley Old Road and Halliwell — will take another step on their way to the new church when they come together under one roof at Chorley Old Road.

The Rev Paul Martin, district chairman, said: “From under- standable early misgivings, this project has grown in strength so there is now a tremendous groundswell of support.

“We realise moving to Chorley Old Road is only a stepping stone towards our ultimate goal of a new church at Delph Hill, but it will provide an important period of consolidation before the North Bolton Methodist Mis- sion moves on to its new home.”

Worship ceased at Theatre Church and the church in Halli- well at the end of last month. No more productions will be