Shropshire flat-pack church is a county treasure

But Maesbury's iconic tin tabernacle church has stood the test of time and is still a much-loved building in the community.

The 108-year-old parish church shows few signs of wear and tear at first glance, and is believed to be one of only two examples of its kind in Shropshire, the other being Knowle Mission Room near Clee Hill in the south of the county.

Assistant churchwarden Maureen Ross said the tiny church is still well used by villagers, with a steady attendance at Sunday services and outreach activities held throughout the year.

It is also popular with visitors, including users of the nearby canal who occasionally pop in to join in with Sunday services.

"We've been opening every day since June and we've had some lovely comments from people saying they've always wanted to come in," she said.

"The interior wood panels are still in lovely condition – I understand it's the same as it was when it opened."

The church's exterior is striking, with its small bell house, arched windows and clean white walls making it stand out from the neighbouring houses.

It was built as a result of demand in the village, which at the time had no Anglican building and just a Welsh chapel.

Mrs Ross said: "The land was given to the church by the Lloyd family from Aston Hall. The building arrived as a flat-pack and was erected by two men. The church was obviously much needed, and welcomed when it was complete. The first week's collection was £13 – a very large amount for that time.

"In the 1950s and 1960s the church needed new pews, so carpenters from the Derwen College in Gobowen made 14 new pews for us. We had a new altar at about the same time, given by the widow of Ray Morris, from The Ball Mill. She donated a new bishop's chair as well."

Despite the support given by local people, it took until 1996 for the church to be recognised as its own parish, thanks in part to the construction of Oswestry's bypass.

"Before the church was built anyone who wanted a Church of England service had to go into Oswestry. A lot of people carried on doing that, but when they built the bypass and it was more difficult to get to church we got our own vicar and became a parish in our own right," Mrs Ross said.

Age is starting to tell on the church however, and parishioners recently held a duck race to bring in funds for repairs to the roof over the vestry, which had started to leak.

More repairs will be needed on the windows and doors, but Mrs Ross said a lot more money – £18,302 to be precise – will be needed to complete all the work.

"The window sills are really in need of replacing. When you clean them bits of wood flake off, and they never really come clean. There are gaps between the windows and the frame, and the same with the vestry door," she said.

"Actually the vestry door has got so bad that the mice are getting in underneath. I know you're supposed to have church mice, but it's not really very good."

But she said the planned renovations gave the church an opportunity to make some exciting changes to its appearance.

She said: "All the windows need replacing. We're hoping that someone would want to sponsor a window to help us raise the money.

"But what we're really hoping to do is to change the two windows at the front of the church and have stained glass. The church is dedicated to St John the Baptist, so possibly include St John in the windows."

A collection box has been installed at the back of the church, donated by Black Country Ironworks, but the church is also hoping to have offers of practical help from people who could help to fit the new windows and doors, saving money on the project.

"It's such a lovely building. It's got a lovely atmosphere, and people really do like coming in to see us," Mrs Ross said.

"We're planning more events for the rest of the year including taking part in the Montgomery Canal Festival in the village, opening the church for the Ride and Stride event around different churches in Shropshire in September, Messy Church services, and I'm looking at getting a choir in to sing at a fundraising event.

To contribute to the appeal contact church warden Graeme Ross on (01691) 680302.