News - 29/06/2023

North Yorkshire church up for sale

Harrogate church comes to market as local congregation seek new opportunities.

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We have been instructed to find a buyer for the Hampsthwaite Methodist Church in the Nidd Valley Methodist Circuit in Harrogate. This comes as part of the Circuit’s strategy to ensure the buildings best suit the future needs of their mission, with worship and pastoral care taking place from other nearby village and town churches.

Dating back to 1904, the church has become central to the Hampsthwaite community over the past century, serving the needs of the congregation who ran it and the locals who attended. The Chapel regretfully closed in October 2021 and the building has been dutifully cared for since.

The single-storey building provides a main hall, two school rooms, a kitchen and WC facilities, a small basement, and garden space at the front. Subject to planning permissions and other consents, the site has development potential for a variety of uses.

The church comes onto market following the recent relocation of the Methodist church organ, a historical asset that played a central role in the life of the church that the congregation would rather preserve than let it become derelict. The organ was relocated to another Methodist church in Hebden Bridge by a specialised company from Norfolk, W & A Boggis, who dismantled it, transported the parts and then rebuilt it in situ in Hebden Bridge.

Rev Ben Clowes, Superintendent Minister of the Nidd Valley Methodist Circuit, said: "Hampsthwaite Chapel stood at the heart of the community for over 100 years and the work of the people there is remembered very fondly by many across the area.  The time has come to sell this property as our mission to the village of Hampsthwaite continues from our other local churches."

Richard Corby, Director at Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “We are excited to be marketing this outstanding opportunity to acquire an important historical asset in the beautiful North Yorkshire village of Hampsthwaite, just 5 miles from Harrogate. Several individuals have already come forward with a wide range of proposed uses for the building, so we need to assess what will be the best outcome for the church.”
 

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