Methodist Church Sold
The Methodist Church site was sold on Friday September 15th 2023 after a protracted and complex sale. This was not helped by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.
Many villagers will recall the Methodist fellowship ceased to worship in West Bergholt in September 2018 some 139 years after the first service! Membership had been declining for some time leading to the difficult decision to cease holding services in the Chapel. The final service took place at the end of a weekend of activities and reminiscence. The remaining members now worship at “The Well Methodist Church“, in Mile End.
Change of control
From this point, the site became the responsibility of the Methodist Church. The Colchester Methodist Circuit handled the sale of the site..
Bus Shelter & Burial Ground Not Sold
The Methodist Church retains the ownership of the Bus Shelter site and the Burial Ground between the Hall and the Manse. The burial ground remains open, and existing reservations will be honoured. Fences now enclose the area and a new pedestrian public access provided from Chapel Lane, via a gate at the corner nearest the Manse. Public access remains in place for people to visit the graves of their loved ones.
Looking Forward
The Church wishes the new owner well with the site. It will be good to have such a significant site in the centre of the village in use again and they look forward to seeing what the new owner plans for the site.