A HISTORIC church will celebrate its last mass tonight before closing its doors to its parishioners.

St Philip the Apostle Church, in Burnley, was the first of eight churches in East Lancashire earmarked for closure with 11 others hanging in the balance.

The closure comes as part of a major reorganisation of the Diocese of Salford after falling church attendance and fewer priests being ordained.

The Slade Lane building was built in 1955 and served Padiham, Read, Simonstone and Higham.

Tonight’s mass will be celebrated by the Bishop of Salford, Rt Reverend John Arnold and there will be the chance to celebrate the church’s history.

St Veronica in Helmshore, Our Lady’s Chapel in Huncoat, St Teresa in Burnley and either St Augustine or St Mary Magdalene in Burnley are also earmarked for closure.

St Charles in Rishton, St Hubert with St Wulstan in Great Harwood and St Mary in Clayton-le-Moors could amalgamate to form one parish.

One or two churches from St Mary and John in Pleasington, St John Vianney and St Peter in Chains in Blackburn could also close.

A Diocese of Salford spokesman said the future of these churches had not been decided and consultation is ongoing.

He said: “Parishioners of the parish of St John the Baptist and St Philip, Padiham have been informed that the last mass in one of the two churches in the parish will be celebrated at St Philip’s this evening, on the Feast of St Peter and St Paul.

“We hope it will provide an opportunity for parishioners to celebrate the history of St Philip’s Church and come together as a community in worship.

“Preserving proper dignity and respect for the cremated remains of every person whose ashes are interred in the Garden of Remembrance will be of the highest priority.

“No decisions will be made until after this period of consultation, which will take a maximum of three months, and when these discussions are concluded, the Bishop will make a final decision.”

Cllr Andrew Tatchell, who represents Gawthorpe on Burnley Council, said it was a sad day for Padiham to lose the church.

He said: “Seeing any part of Padiham, particularly a church, shut is not a good thing.

“I understand the church has handed the reorganisation very reasonably.

“Currently it is unclear what will happen to the building but I hope whatever replaces it can put it to good use.”