was confirmed yesterday.

But it will continue to serve as a community centre for youth as well as the elderly.

Recently the Salvation Army, which has eight churches on the Island, conducted a review of its operations, through a strategic plan. Among the recommendations the report made was to close the church at Shelly Bay which the Salvation Army says is not financially solvent. The decision had to be ratified by Bermuda's Canadian headquarters and yesterday a letter arrived approving the closure.

Major Alfred Richardson, who has replaced Major Merv Leach as Bermuda's divisional commander, said: "We will carry on with Sunday meetings until December and possibly close it as a church next year.

"We will set up a committee to look at the usage of the church and we will start that process in September.

"There will be some youth activities and possibly other activities for seniors.'' It is felt the Army needs another youth centre as the only one it currently runs is in St. David's.

When the Salvation Army announced last May that the church could close some people who used the building protested demanding that it was kept open.

Marie Virgil said people were shaken by the news of the impending closure of the church, used by several groups.

Yesterday Major Richardson added that before written approval came through, the Canadian body had given verbal permission.

"Every member of the congregation got a letter from Major Leach when verbal confirmation came through. There has been no come back from that letter,'' he said.