By: express.co.uk
Source: http://www.express.co.uk/
A CHURCH has been sold to a local Muslim community due to a lack of worshippers.
St Peter’s Catholic church in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, has now closed its doors to the shrinking congregation following the sale.
Church leaders have reassured Christians the local parish, Cobridge, will continue to exist and money from the St Peter’s sell-off will be used to benefit parishioners.
The identity of the buyers has not been disclosed.
“The parish of Cobridge has a long history.
“But in recent times the number of Catholics living in the area has shrunk to such an extent that those attending Mass at St Peter’s were simply no longer able to Marian a priest and the church buildings.
“The church was put up for sale on the open market.
“A modest number of offers were received and a local Muslim community made the best offer, acceptable to the diocesan trustees after consultation in other local parishes.”
Other research revealed the UK has the fourth lowest rate of church attendance in Europe.