AN Altrincham church is to close - immediately after celebrating its 150th anniversary.

The Grade II Listed St John the Evangelist will shuts its doors for the final time on January 2.

Its final service will be on December 27.

It marked its landmark anniversary with a weekend of celebration on December 10 and 11.

But the church broke the news of its closure on its Facebook page.

It said: "After the celebrations of the weekend, back to the real world. It is with sadness that we can confirm that St John's will close officially on January 2nd, although our last service will be at 11.00am on St John's Day, December 27th.

"Help us to make our last Christmas special......

Sunday December 18th 11.00 Family Carol Service followed by mulled wine and mince pies

Christmas Eve 5.15pm Christingle Service

Christmas Day 9.30am Family Eucharist

'Unto us is born a son'...."

The church was opened in 1866 to help form a new parish which was carved out of that of Bowdon, in order to provide for the increased number of residents in the area.

This included the crowded and poor district of Newtown in Altrincham and land yet to be built upon in part of Hale.

The parish was reduced in size when that of St Peter’s in Hale was created.

Messenger has contacted the Diocese of Chester about the closure and is awaiting a response.