AN URGENT fundraising appeal has been  launched to  raise s220,000 to restore Frodshams historic parish church.

An architectural survey has revealed serious  decay in parts of the 12th-century red sandstone  structure the towns only Grade I-listed building  and a much-loved landmark and social hub.

And community support will be vital in the  struggle to save the cherished church that dates  back to Norman times.

Appealing for help from the town council, assistant priest Kath Williamson said church custodians were shocked by the latest diocesan  inspection of the building and were now facing  major repairs to the church roof, windows, stonework and guttering.

Weve been told certain jobs have to be done  immediately, others within 18 months and the rest  within five years, so we cant shirk this.
Some of the stonework is actually loose and will  soon be dangerous so, for safety and to keep the  church watertight, we have already done the  north roof. 

Rain was coming in on the church organ,  which is priceless and one of the last really good  old organs in Cheshire. We keep getting lead  stolen from the roof, which doesnt help.

Other jobs in hand include the stone wall of the  tower which  needs bracing and pinning or we will  have to put a metal rail round it to keep people  from getting too close, and some windows are  letting in water.

She said the estimated cost of repairs was s220,000  and, even if the church managed to secure a full 40%  grant from English Heritage, it would still need to  raise another s100,000 in the next four years, but the sooner the work is done, the better.

If we cant make the church safe we will  eventually have to close it and the congregation  will have to worship in the Church Hall.

She said a church committee had already raised  s4,000 and were planning a series of fundraising  events and other possible grant sources were  being investigated, but community support will  be vital.

This beautiful building is the only Anglican  church in Frodsham and, as well as the congregation worshipping there throughout the  week, and with baptisms, wedding and funerals,  it  is also well used by several community groups. 

Frodsham Players regularly stage productions there and  its used for civic services and by schools for their special services and events.

Cllr John Nield suggested the town council  should drive a community-wide fundraising effort, and Cllr Lynn Riley said: The church is part  of the fabric of Frodsham and this is an opportunity to bring the community together on this to think about how we can help raise this money.

Mayor Andrew Dawson said: The church is a  much-loved structure in Frodsham and its our generations  turn to put the effort in to preserve it.