A DETERMINED village community would move Heaven and Earth to raise £100,000 and save their 900-year-old church.
The church of St Mary and St Edward, in Church Road, West Hanningfield, needs its potentially rotting roof re-slating in a £60,000 project to stop it from leaking.
A further £40,000 would be used to redecorate the listed building, inside and out, for the first time since 1977.
A Friends of St Mary's group has now been formed to brainstorm fundraising ideas.
The priest in charge, Dr Stephen Need, said: "I would be embarrassed if it was our generation that let the church go – it has been here since the 12th century.
"People value having a village church and we would be very disappointed and sad if it went because we would lose a building that we love.
"It would be so sad if it was us that let it go. We are now praying that we can hopefully pay for the future."
A few months ago an architect visited before telling parishioners work was "particularly pressing" – warning members that rotting wood could be found underneath the slates.
The medieval roof is due to be re-slated in October, but the church needs an English Heritage grant or a monumental fundraising effort – or both – to get them started before then.
About 50 villagers flocked to the 120-seater church in July to brainstorm and organise future fundraising ideas.
To date, the community have collected more than £20,000 through a series of events, such as their annual barbecue.
More recently the 55-year-old Dr Need hosted a charity piano recital, while choir leader Elizabeth Beaty will host a cooking demonstration at the village hall on Tuesday. It will be at 9.30am and tickets will cost £10.
"We have a lot of hope that we will raise the money as there is a lot of people who come here for weddings, christenings and big funerals here," said Dr Need, of High Street, Stock, who is also in charge of his local All Saints Church.
Church warden Michael Gray, 77, said: "As far as we know it's all right for now, but what we are most worried about is that if you're hammering in nails and disturbing the wooden panels underneath, then you are in for another, second, big bill, so we have to allow for that."
Mr Gray, of Church Road, who has been with St Mary's since 1990, added: "It's a very treasured church and in 1977 when it was suggested it was closed it was awful for everyone."
Ms Beaty, 75, of Ship Road, said: "It would be awful if it closed. It is a central part of the community."
Can you help towards the fundraising? Email church warden Mr Gray on rmj.gray@btconnect.com
