A Workington building will go to auction next week.

The Seamen’s Bethel, on Falcon Street, is set to go under the hammer with Auction House Cumbria on Thursday.

A bethel was a church or hostel for sailors and this one has a 1889 date stone.

It was turned into a church 17 years ago, but rising running costs forced it to close last month.

Hilary Harrington, of Harrington, one of the founder members of the church, said: “It’s a sign of the times.

“The costs of running it were increasing, and churches closing is something that happens quite often.

“The church at Northside has recently gone up for sale.”

Mrs Harrington said the building also used to be a base for the RSPCA and it was empty for a while before it was converted into a church.

She added: “A lot of people went through the church over the years.

“It’s sad but it’s just the way of the world.”

Jane Worthington, who owns the building, said: “I would be sad if anyone wanted to pull it down, it’s quite a nice building. I wouldn’t like to see it turned into a block of flats, I’d rather it stayed in the hands of the community.”

The guide price for the building is £15,000 plus fees.

The main room is 800sq ft. It also has a kitchen, toilets and an enclosed garden area.

Thursday’s auction sale will take place at Carlisle Racecourse, beginning at noon.