An historic Black Country church that was saved from demolition is once again under threat, sparking a renewed battle to beat the bulldozers.

Worshippers packed out a farewell service at Vicar Street Methodist Church in Dudley yesterday but falling congregation numbers and spiralling maintenance costs have spelled the end for the site as a place of worship. 

The building could now be reduced to rubble seven years after campaigners earned it a stay of execution. Developers are sounding out Dudley Council about plans to knock the 100-year-old church down to pave the way for new housing. 

But leading methodists today vowed they would fight to keep it standing.

Malcolm Brazenall, aged 69, property secretary for Dudley and Netherton methodist circuit, said he hoped the structure would be preserved – but confirmed the site was no longer viable for use as a church.

He said: “If the building could be retained, that would be preferable. We didn’t want to close the church, the trustees of Vicar Street certainly didn’t want to close.

“If the number of people had shown the interest they did yesterday, we wouldn’t be in this position,” he added.