BULLDOZERS have moved in to demolish a popular Stacksteads church.

But today former members of the congrega-tion said the move would sound the death knell for the Catholic faith in the village.

They described it as an 'end of an era' after contractors moved in to demolish St Joseph's, Huttock End Lane.

Worshippers said they will be devastated to see the church go after it was built and paid for by the 'farthings and pennies' of local people back in 1926.

The closure is part of a shake-up of Roman Catholic parishes called Faith in the Future, which the Salford Diocese said was needed because of the shortage of priests and falling congreg-ations.

Rossendale councillor Michael McShea, a former worshipper at St Joseph's, said today: "It's the end of an era. It's a very sad time for many people in Stacksteads.

"I've had very strong feelings about this right from the outset and fought to prevent its closure so it's been very upsetting to see this finally happen.

"The way our parish has just diminished in Stacksteads is very sad.

"There is now no Catholic presence here and the last physical symbol we have is now being demolished."

The Bishop of Salford, the Right Rev Terence Brain, along with fellow clergy and a choir from several neighbouring churches attended the closing "cele-bration" in April.

However, some parishioners stayed away from the service, claiming the decision to close the church was a bad move for Rossendale worshippers.

Father Philip Boast transferred to the Presbytery at St Peter's RC Church in Newchurch last year.

Another parishioner, Coun Christine Lamb, added: "It is very sad to see the church actually coming down.

"Generations of families have been baptised, married and buried at St Joseph's. It is a great loss to the community"

The church was originally based in the old part of St Joseph's Primary School before moving to its present building on Huttock End Lane.

Sunday Mass is now taking place at the school with Fr Boast.