Demolition work begins at St Charles' Church in Rishton

Plans were passed last year for St Charles’ Church in Rishton to come down after the church and attached presbytery closed in 2020.

They have deteriorated in that time and have proved too costly to repair, though the primary school on the site is to remain.

St Charles Church (Image: NQ)

Approval was given last despite the council's conservation office judging the demolition as 'catastrophic'.

READ MORE: One of town's last remaining Roman Catholic churches to be demolished

Pictures from the church show the area fenced off, with a cherry picker nearby and workers coming in and out of the building.

A sign on one of the fences warns people not to enter due to ‘deep excavations’ taking place.

Demolition work has started at church (Image: NQ)

It has been indicated that it is intended to grass the land over and gift it to the neighbouring St Charles RC Primary School for a play area.

READ MORE: Rishton church demolition could create play area and peace garden

A statement on the Clayton, Rishton and Great Harwood Parish website read: “After St Charles’ Church was forced to close at the start of the pandemic in 2020 it became clear the repairs to the building were so substantial it was not viable to consider reopening the building.

“The Diocese understood the sadness felt by parishioners and has been working hard with the parish and local primary school to accommodate the parish community in Rishton.

Excavation work is taking place (Image: NQ)

“As a consequence, the current church and presbytery will need to be demolished and the Diocese are in the process of arranging this.

“We hope that this solution will allow our faithful community to continue to gather in worship and serve the local area with their charitable works.”