New theatre and museum could open at Victorian church in Sheffield

St Matthias Church in Stocksbridge closed last month, with a special farewell service held by the Bishop of Sheffield, the Right Reverend Dr Pete Wilcox, after the size of its congregration dwindled from up to 1,000 during its peak to as few as 15 worshippers.

It was anticipated the building would probably be sold and converted to flats, but proposals have now emerged to preserve it for the community as a visitor attraction.

The building could also act as a permanent base for the Steel Valley Beacon Arts theatre group, which until now has had a nomadic existence.

In the long run, it might house a ticket office for the proposed railway service on the existing line between Sheffield Victoria and Stocksbridge.

Dennis Pindar, who chairs the history society, said: "We would support any plans to provide a larger space for the museum to display more of the objects we have, and it would be great to combine that with a new theatre in a cultural takeover.

"If it's converted into apartments it would be lost forever, which would be a great shame given it was built for the people of Stocksbridge."

Chris Bell, of Don Valley Railway, said the church seemed like a natural choice for a ticket office should a new passenger station open at Stocksbridge, given it backs on to the existing line.

The Diocese of Sheffield said church commissioners would now take the lead when it comes to deciding what happens to the building.

"They will look at alternative uses, and a meeting date has been set towards the end of the summer/early autumn," added LJ Buxton, communications manager for the diocese.

St Matthias Church on Manchester Road was built in memory of Samuel Fox, who founded the nearby steelworks, and was consecrated in 1890, three years after his death.

The church has more than 500 seats and is noted for the quality of its stained glass windows.