PEWS were packed as parishioners sang a joyous farewell to their church - but only to the building.

The Archdeacon of Blackburn, Dr John Marsh, told the congregation at Burnley's St James the Great: "The church remains because it is not a building but the people of God. We use buildings to meet in worship, to meet God in worship, but the church is the people, God's people."

Nearly 160 people attended the service of thanksgiving at the former engineering works in March Street. The closure was forced because congregations had dwindled to just 30.

Dr Marsh said: "This time of year spells death in many ways, the leaves on the trees and the gardens where there is no great sign of life. But out of the death of winter comes the new life of Spring.

"Today those of you who have had a life-long connection with this church could be forgiven for seeing this as the death of this church. "It is, of course, the closure of this particular building, but at the end of the day it is part of the Christian faith to believe in life out of death - new life out of death.

"We look back and give thanks for 150 years of St James, a church that has been called a working man's church.

"In Burnley we need to find an appropriate way to preach afresh the good news of Jesus. St James may no longer be a base for that operation, but the operation goes on."

St James's original church, in the town centre on Bathesda Street, was demolished in 1966. The congregation then converted the factory in Stoneyholme into a church and all that remained of the town centre premises was its spire. That too is to be demolished to allow Curzon Street to be redeveloped.

The Rev Peter Hapgood-Strickland, priest-in-charge of St Andrew's with St Margaret's and St James announced the collection would be given to the Bishop's fund.

The Eucharist was presided over by the Bishop of Burnley the Rt Rev Martyn Jarrett.

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