Long Street Methodist Church named as vulnerable historic site

Long Street Methodist Church

Long Street Methodist Church in Middleton has been named as one of the UK’s most vulnerable historic sites in the UK.

The church, which was designed by acclaimed early 20th century architect Edgar Wood, has been included on the national Heritage At Risk register, which identifies buildings at danger of being lost.

A new version of the list, which was published on Thursday 23 October, also focuses on buildings that need help and targets resources to where they can make the most difference.

The Middleton Sunday School and Church opened in 1900 and is now said to be in “grave condition” requiring significant repairs to secure its future.

It is understood that the leaded windows are failing and stone slates are falling from the roof causing rot, damp and mould growth.

Regular but limited maintenance is carried out by committed volunteers but, unfortunately, the roof has reached such a poor state that a complete re-roofing is likely to be needed.

Audrey Riches from the Edgar Wood Society (Middleton) said: “We have a long way to go but now we are an at risk building we can apply for funding. It will take a long time to get things established but we do have plans that can hopefully start to go ahead. I think if we do apply for the funding and it goes ahead the money will first go on the roof.”

The building is owned by the Heritage Trust for the North West.