A CHURCH which is to be demolished to make way for a retail development will hold its final mass tomorrow night.

St Patrick's Church, in Cannon Street, Middlesbrough, is to be demolished in the next few weeks, following a joint planning application for shops and offices on land between Newport Road, Cannon Street and Marsh Street.

Built in 1901 to serve the local Roman Catholic community, it stands as one of the last remnants of a once thriving area of Middlesbrough.

In its heyday, the church held as many as six or seven masses every Sunday and had a presbytery large enough to accommodate four or five priests.

Father Derek Turnham, priest of St Patrick's, said: "It will be a sad time on Friday evening at mass. It is a part of the town's history and I believe it was the second Catholic church to be built in Middlesbrough.

"Before the church is demolished we will be taking the fixtures and fittings out to give to other churches in the town, so they will all have a bit of history in them."

It is anticipated up to 450 jobs could be created if the plans submitted by St James Securities, of Leeds, which is working jointly with Tesco, Barker and Stonehouse, and a number of local businesses are granted approval.

In addition to the closure and demolition of St Patrick's Church, the development will involve the relocation of the fruit market, police vehicle workshops and trading standards department.

Father Turnham said: "In the past the church has had a strong following and we are anticipating a large turnout tomorrow evening.

"Two years ago St Patrick's parish was joined to Sacred Heart parish with its church at the top of Linthorpe Road.

"This new united parish is working well and so there will be no problem in providing for the spiritual and pastoral needs of the people who worship at St Patrick's."

The mass will be held at 7pm.