A VILLAGE church is facing a £10,000 shortfall and the vicar is calling on the community to come up with a fundraising idea.

The Rev Adam Friend of St Andrew’s Church, Tarvin, has told the community the church will need to find an extra £10,000 this year and for subsequent years.

Annually each church pays a sum to the Chester diocese called the parish share. This amount depends on the affluence of the area, as well as whether the clergy are full or part time, the size of the congregation and church and some other factors.

The former vicar at St Andrew’s, Andrew Herbert, worked part time at the church and part time at the diocese. Mr Friend, however, was appointed as a full time vicar in March and this has meant the parish share has had to increase. The money for the parish share is usually raised through the weekly church collection and donations, but now the church will have to make a conscious effort to increase the money raised.

Mr Friend said: “This was something we were aware could happen. A lot of churches have reserves to cover this, but this isn’t possible.

“We have also found out we need to re-felt the roof of the north aisle which will cost around £4000.

“This is a beautiful building but it is Grade I listed and very old and it does need a lot of maintenance which requires money.”

Mr Friend expects it to take around three to four years to sort out the funding situation.

“We don’t have to pay this money in a lump sum, it is a monthly payment.”

Mr Friend is now looking into ways the money can be raised.

He said: “I am looking into organising one big fundraising event, rather than lots of little ones. I also don’t want to do anything that is already being done in the village. Some people have been suggesting bringing back the village carnival, but we would have to look into that.”

Anyone who has ideas can contact Mr Friend at the church.