Church spotlight: St Peter's Church in Wrockwardine

The former churchwarden, who is now heading the church's restoration committee, says the appeal lies in the way that one can follow the story from the Norman window, through the 14th century additions, through to the alterations which took place during the Georgian era.

"It is the story of a 1,000 years of history," says German-born Hilmar, who came to Britain 47 years ago.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we have got some Roman remains somewhere in it as well."

• The ancient parish chest of Wrockwardine, in the north chapel, is believed to date from the 14th century. It is listed in an inventory of church goods, dated 1686, as “a coffer with three locks to put the writings in that belong to the poor and charity money when it will come.” The three locks, which all still work, require separate keys.

• In the north chapel is a rococo monument to William Cludde, who died in 1764. It shows an urn above, and below the tablet are heads of cherubs, of a similar style to the Cressett monument at Cound. Both may be the work of T E Pritchard.

• The pulpit dates back to Jacobean times.

• The communion rails show much fine carving, and are dated 1865. They were reinstated to the church in 1931, having been found in Wrockwardine Hall.

• The church has four fonts. The oldest one, which dates back to Norman times, was later discovered in the garden of a vicar in Shrewsbury. After his death it was taken to the old St Chad’s Church for security, and it is still there now.

• The large font, which is the one used at the moment, was give to the church in memory of the Rev A P Salusbury, who was vicar from 1874 to 1896.

• There are four commemorative windows – at the south wall west end, is one dated 1869 commemorating Richard and Elizabeth Emery and relatives of Charles Smith Foster. On the south wall eastern end,is a window in memory of Miss E Leake, who died in service in the First World War. In the north wall, east end, are inserts in memory of Lt Col W Oldham, who died in service in the Second World War. In the north wall, east end, is a window designed by artist Mary Newill in memory of her parents.[/breakout]

While most churches will say they are at the heart of community life, Hilmar says this is particularly true of St Peter's.

"Apart from the village hall, we are the only public building in Wrockwardine," he says.

"In most villages you will have a pub and a shop, but we don't have any of that in Wrockwardine."

Despite its tranquil location, it has a healthy, 60-strong congregation, and is home to the mother-and-toddler group, hosts regular free coffee mornings and a book club.

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"There are a lot of people in the village who feel very attached to the church, even if they do not go to services every Sunday," he says.

"We always say that the church belongs to everyone in the village, whether they are Christians or not."

He says that the church attracts regular visitors, and is particularly popular with cyclists in the summer.

"A lot of them stop outside for a rest when they get to the top of the hill, and we always invite them in," says Hilmar. "I saw somebody outside who had stopped for a drink in the rain, so I said 'come on in and have a drink inside'."

Hilmar is hoping that a planned restoration project will enable it to widen its role in the village, turning the south transept into an a centre for community activities. The church is hoping to set up a credit union in the church, and Hilmar believes that in future there might be e need for a relationship counselling service in the village.

At the moment the church is on the national Heritage at Risk register, but crucial work is now expected to begin within six months thanks to a £157,000 lottery grant which was awarded last month.

There are also plans to install a new central heating system, and modernise the clock mechanism and electrical system.

Hilmar says while the church was in no immediate danger, there was a risk that the building would have to close in years to come if the work was not carried out.

He says: "The church has been well looked after for 1,000 years, and it would be a shame if it was left to deteriorate now.

"The support of the Heritage Lottery Fund was vital to ensure the continued role of St Peter's within the village and realise our vision for the future."

The church almost certainly dates back to Saxon times, although nothing remains of that building now. The earliest mention of it came in the Domesday Book of 1089.

When the church was rebuilt in the 12th century it was unusual in that the tower was built in the centre of the church rather than to the east or west.

While the church has seen considerable development over the centuries, the Norman window in the chancel has survived, although it was restored in the 19th century when stained glass, depicting Holman Hunt's painting of Christ as The Light of the World. The church also has several very fine stained glass windows. Some, like the one portraying St Peter, are miniatures at high level.

There is also a walled-up Norman doorway, which suggests that at the time there were plans for future expansion.

The continuous masonry of the lower nave walls, however, shows that the plan was never executed.

Probably in the later 14th century the north chapel was built by prominent local landowners the Cludde family, and the south chapel was built in the late 15th or early 16th century.

In 1751 Samuel Fowler, vicar of Atcham, sold the chapel to Edward Pemberton, and it was thereafter known as the Pemberton chapel.