PARISHIONERS who chained themselves to their Allerton Bywater church in protest at its closure have had an appeal to save it quashed by Vatican officials.
St John's Church shut its doors for the last time this month after worshippers lost a second challenge that contested the validity of the Diocese of Leeds axeing the building.
The church was due to close last year but stayed open after desperate r
esidents made their last-ditch protest outside diocese headquarters, singing hymns and presenting official documents that took their fight to Rome.
Malcolm Brudwell, spokesman for St John's parishioners, said: "We've had two appeals refused by the Vatican and were advised to not complete a third to a higher authority as the case was not worth pursuing.
"All along we said that if we lost the appeal we would accept it with good grace and take it on the chin.
"Church services continued right up until October 4 and we did all we could to carry on the fight, we still think we are right and were badly done to."
The Diocese of Leeds last year announced controversial restructuring plans to shut then sell off St John's, Ackworth's Our Lady of Lourdes, Holy Family in Chequerfield, Featherstone's St Gerard Majella and St Edmund's church in Airedale.
Church leaders said the closures would combat falling numbers of priests and congregations to achieve a target of one priest per 500 parishioners but worshippers staged protests, formed action groups and led determined campaigns in a bid to halt closures.
Defiant residents chained themselves to the gates of St John's, waved placards and prayed outside the building in July 2008.
Mr Brumwell added: "I'd like to thank everyone in the community who offered their support as well as those who backed us across the country.
"There was so much support but unfortunately it wasn't enough."
