How’s this for a room with a pew?

A landmark village church has been put up for sale - and the vendors will no doubt be praying that a buyer can be found soon.

Port Erin Methodist Chapel has been put on the market with Black Grace Cowley with offers in the region on £350,000 being invited.

The estate agent describes it as an ’excellent opportunity to acquire a substantial chapel in the heart of Port Erin’.

It says it has the potential for redevelopment with a variety of alternative uses, subject to planning consent.

Meanwhile, the chapel’s congregation is planning to move next door.

The Church Council last month (March) agreed plans to put the main chapel building on the market and redevelop part of the adjacent church premises as a modern and versatile worship and community space. It posted on Facebook: ’After much prayer, discussion and heart searching as to our mission and vision for Port Erin Methodist Church, we realise that the main church building is now too large for our needs.

’The Church Council decided that the future for our worshipping community should be at the heart of Port Erin, continuing to witness and be involved with community activities.’

Linked to the main church building is a hall and series of rooms which are used for meetings, occasional café church worship and by the local community.

The plan is to combine some of the smaller rooms into a worship space, create a new accessible entrance while still providing the hall for community bookings.

It is hoped that the sale of the chapel can be used to fund the development of the premises and their fitting out.

Designed by William Clement Williams, the Station Road Primitive Methodist Chapel was constructed in 1903.

The church was built with a bell tower but with no bell.

The lancet, rose windows and grey stone walls give the building a Medieval appearance.

Like all churches public worship has not been taking place there during the current circuit breaker lockdown.