RESIDENTS in Eccleshill have voiced their anger after a "historically important" cemetery and church have been put up for sale.

Following its closure in June, Eccleshill United Reformed Church, Victoria Road, and Chapel Street Cemetery, Chapel Street, have been put on the market.

The church is up for sale with a guide price of 350,000 on estate agent Walker Singleton's website while the graveyard, which was established in 1823, is listed at £5,000.

Mike De Greasley, chairman of Eccleshill Online History Group, said: "There is an awful lot of history there. The value of this place is not measured in money."

He said if the cemetery was sold off it would "decimate the area and wipe a piece of history off the map".

"This used to be a rural area but now there's not one green field left in the whole damn township.

"You don't see the importance of something until it's gone."

Andy Chilton, director of Eccleshill Community Association, said: “It’s a hugely historical site. Were it to be sold, they can apply to have the graves removed but God forbid that would happen.

“It tells the story of Eccleshill as an independent township. It’s got an amazing number of grand monuments there with some historically important characters buried there.

Mr Chilton said a group of volunteers have worked hard to tidy up the cemetery since the beginning of lockdown last year.

“The work they’ve done brings that latent history back to life.”

Cllr Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said: “These volunteers have done a marvellous job.

“It would be sad if they disposed of it because of its importance to the people of Eccleshill and the people who look after it.”

A member of the Friends of Chapel Street Cemetery said: "The cemetery was in a bad state of neglect. You couldn't get through the gates because of the brambles and rubbish. The volunteers have spent a lot of man hours in the cemetery.

"We knew the church was closing but we had no idea the church and cemetery would be put up for sale.

"There is outrage and disgust at how it's come about.

A spokesperson for the of the United Reformed Church Yorkshire Synod said: “After nearly 200 years serving the Bradford community, the United Reformed Church (URC) is deeply sad to announce that Eccleshill URC has closed.

“There were around eight people that made up the congregation each Sunday who were increasing in age, and with a dwindling congregation they felt it best to bring their witness to an end. Therefore, at a church meeting it was agreed by a clear majority the church would close on June 9, 2021.

“It is with extreme gratitude the church thanks the generosity and goodwill of members of the community who have donated their time, tending to the graveyard and clearing overgrown brambles and foliage.

“The Rev Jamie Kissack, Moderator of the URC Yorkshire Synod, said: “Deciding to close has been a very difficult decision for the church to make, but it is a sad fact churches have to face, especially after Covid.

“It is not lost on us that the graveyard is of historical importance to the local community; containing important monuments of a bygone era, and that many historically important local people are buried there.

“Conversations are taking place between the URC Yorkshire Synod Trust and Bradford Council, and the Trust will be happy to talk to the Friends of Chapel Street Cemetery. I hope whoever takes on the graveyard will respect its heritage and use and be able to preserve it for the future benefit of Eccleshill.”