The hills around Bolster Moor were alive with the sound of singing last Sunday.

Bolster Moor Baptist Church was packed to the rafters as crowds turned out in force to sing their hearts out.

But there were tears as well as smiles, for this was the end of an era.

Members of churches from different denominations swelled the numbers of the normally small congregation for a moving service to mark the day the church closed its doors to public worship for the last time after 124 years.

An ageing congregation and people leaving the area have forced Pastor Norman Harries to announce the end of services.

He said: “It was a special occasion, but extremely sad.

“It was a time of bereavement, a time of sadness, but we needed to remind ourselves that the Church is not a building, the Church is the people – people who are still maintaining the life and witness and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“God had blessed Bolster Moor Baptist Church in various ways over the years, but the village is the greatest loser in all of this as it has lost its Christian focus.”

The Reverend Harries, who is originally from Caerphilly in Wales, said he had always felt at home at Bolster Moor and not a ‘comer-in.

He added: “That’s how it should be – we are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In a personally-signed letter distributed to every house in the village he said: “We have continually prayed for and taken interest in the community and the school and it has been a privilege to get to know many of you.

“We commit you to God’s love and care. With all good wishes, Norman.”

At the service, Yorkshire Baptist Association’s regional minister for ministry, the Rev Graham Ensor said Pastor Harries had served faithfully over the last 27 years as lay pastor.

He said: “Today is a sad day but I want to say we don’t mourn as a people who have no hope – rather, in Christ, we have one who can turn our grief into joy.”

He urged people to: “Remember, reflect and rely on God” and spoke of the Yorkshire Baptist churches which had closed in the last decade – Primrose Hill, West Vale, Charlestown at Shipley, Hawksbridge and now Bolster Moor.

Readings were given by Mrs Sylvia Shaw and Pastor Harries. The minister of Scapegoat Hill Baptist Church, the Rev Glenn Cannon, and his wife Chris performed the duet How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place and a special choir convened by Mrs Margaret Laycock sang God so Loved the World from Stainer’s Crucifixion.

Mrs Ann Norton was the accompanist. The organist was Mr Arthur Daker and the pianist was Mrs Margaret Burhouse.

The Baptist Church houses Bolster Moor Playgroup which now faces an uncertain future.