Holy Family Church Ingol closes immediately after being condemned in inspection

A church at the heart of the community in Ingol has been closed with immediate effect.

The Bishop of Lancaster said the diocese had moved to close Holy Family Church in Whitby Avenue as it was unsafe to continue operating.

Parishioners were told during Sunday morning the premises had been ‘formally condemned’ and could no longer operate due to health and safety issues.

In a statement, released to Blog Preston, Bishop Paul Swarbrick said: “I regret to tell you that following recent premises inspections of at Holy Family church and the pastoral centre (parish hall), important health and safety issues have been identified.

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“Parts of the heating systems serving both premises have been formally condemned, with the gas to the church boiler being completely disconnected. In addition, the electrical installations have been assessed this week and have been deemed unsafe for continued use of both the church and the pastoral centre.

“These matters present significant and immediate risks which cannot responsibly be overlooked.”

Bishop Swarbrick goes on to outline a full rewiring of the church would be needed as well as works to the fire alarm and emergency lighting.

Estimates put the repairs at a cost of more than £125,000 and with parish funds standing at around £18,000 the church has been closed.

Bishop Swarbrick said: “I realise that this will perhaps come as a shock to many of you, though I understand Father Andrew has indicated that these inspections and checks would be taking place.

“I also understand that the church of Holy Family will have deep emotional ties for you as loyal Catholics. I know many of you have been supporting the church and parish for many years, with great love of previous parish priests, including Canon Peter Draper and Father Peter Dolan.

“At this time, I ask you to attend another church. Father Andrew assures everyone of a warm welcome at Saint Anthony’s, though I understand that some of you may choose a different Catholic church, depending on where you live and on other factors too.

“As Holy Family is a parish in its own right, soon, a consultation will need to begin to discern a way forward. It would seem that some kind of parish merger, as well as the canon law process for a formal church closure, will need to be on the agenda. In this, the voices of those who dwell within the boundaries of the parish will be heard, along with those who maybe live elsewhere.”

Around 80 people attend the church regularly and it is also home to the Share-IT foodbank which hands out more than 300 food parcels a week in the community. Blog Preston understands the foodbank has been temporarily relocated to Ingol Methodist Church.

Longstanding churchgoer Caroline Warden, who has been attending Holy Family for 45 years, says she and fellow parishioners felt ‘blindsided’ by the announcement.

She told Blog Preston: “We were informed at the end of Mass on Sunday with no prior warning. We feel blindsided and distressed that no opportunity was given to explore emergency measures that might have kept the church open.

“Holy Family Church has long been more than a place of worship. It has served as a hub for events and outreach programmes, fostering connection and support across the area. Its closure represents not only the loss of a religious space, but also the disappearance of a key community anchor.”

Mrs Warden said parishioners felt their past efforts, such as raising more than £80,000 to re-roof the pastoral centre had been overlooked and the closure was planned ‘for sometime without consultation or compassion’.

She said: “As the doors closed on Sunday we have been left grappling with a profound sense of less and uncertainty about how to rebuild the support networks that once centred around the church.

“We have vowed to fight the diocese to keep our community and family together and will explore all options to make the church viable and vibrant once again.”