A CHURCH that held its last service in late 2019 could be turned into new homes.

Plans to convert Northam Methodist Church into six dwellings have been submitted to Southampton City Council.

If approved, applicant Questmap will split the Union Road building into six two-storey, self-contained properties.

One will be a one-bedroom home, four will have two bedrooms and one will sleep three.

A decision on the plans will be made by April 26, and members of the public have until April 5 to officially object or support the scheme.

According to the Daily Echo's archives, the church celebrated 100 years in the district of Northam in 1970.

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It seems the pioneer members of the Methodist Society first met in the front room of a house near Millbank Street, Northam before moving to a small loft in Princes Street.

Soon membership increased and in 1870 negotiations were opened for a site in Union Street where Northam Methodist Church now stands.

By 1874 the "Old Chapel'' had been built but it was some time before the church was authorised for marriages. On September 11, 1911 the first wedding took place between Frederick John Cotton and Fanny Cooper.

The church was refurbished in 1970 for the Centenary, and a new entrance hall, kitchen and vestry created and opened in May 1971.

According to Sotonopedia, an extensive online archive of Southampton’s history, the church’s final Carol Service with Harbour Lites Steel Band took place on December 15 2019.

The last service of all was at 10.30am on December 22 2019.

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