Radstock’s St Hugh’s Catholic Church in Wells Road is now up for sale, with trustees of Downside Abbey seeking offers from interested parties. The instructed agent is asking for those applying to state their ideas for the building’s proposed future use.

The building is a traditional stone built barn, which closed, to the sadness of the congregation, at the end of 2015, due to an ageing monastic community and the need to consolidate services at St Benedict’s, Stratton on the Fosse. There are still some services held at the historic tithe barn, the Church of the Holy Ghost, Midsomer Norton. The announcement also saw the Catholic churches at Holcombe, Norton St Philip and Chilcompton close.

The Radstock building was converted for church use in 1929, and was previously used as a printing works. An extension was later added to provide an additional space for a kitchen, WC, meeting rooms and a hall space.

Although it is not listed, it falls within the Radstock Conservation Area and is thought will need some work. The agent, Colliers International, has not stated an asking price, but is instead inviting expressions of interest to include the proposals for use, the identity of the interested party, proposed finance, timings and purchase offer, including details of proposals for development.

Westfield B&NES and Parish Councillor, Eleanor Jackson, has asked for the Parish Council’s Environment and Development Committee to look at the issue on the agenda, with a meeting on Monday, 9th January. She told The Journal this week: “I was extremely sad to see the doors of St Hugh’s close on the congregation of more than ninety worshippers. Indeed, I always found it a privilege to worship with them on special occasions like Fr Michael’s ordination anniversary. I vowed then that the historic building, which dates back to the 1830s, should remain in community use.

“The hall is relatively modern, and would make an ideal home for the Radstock Youth Hub, which serves Westfield’s young people as well, and as a trustee of Radstock Museum, I would like to see the cellar opened up, and the 19th century printing presses become part of ‘Somerset Coalfield Life’, as a hands-on experience for young and old alike.

“The main part of the church would make an ideal library space, and the vestries could be offices for community organisations. The Church has a duty to serve the community’s needs, and in this way, the building could be managed, something like the Paulton Hub, as a partnership between councils and voluntary organisations.

“There are exciting plans in the pipeline to develop The Shambles, which I believe my vision would complement well. We know there is an urgent need for housing, but people have minds and souls and need community infrastructure, too.”