Telford church facing big repair bill launches fundraising appeal

St Leonard's Church at Malinslee needs a range of work to its exterior which will cost around £30,000.

Church officials are seeking cash from a variety of sources but have also launched a public fundraising appeal for the harvest season with the aim of raising around £5,000 of the total from local efforts and community support.

The sandstone church, which was built in 1805 and has an unusual octagonal design, is a Grade II star listed building, meaning that it is recognised as having special architectural or historical interest. Architecturally it is a "sister" church to St Mary's in Madeley, which was also built by Telford to a similar design.

The work needed includes repointing flashings, replacing missing slates here and there, rebedding hip tiles on the tower roof, and stonework stabilisation and repointing to the tower.

In a joint appeal, churchwardens John Chetwood and Daphne Caton said: "We have made an application this month for £20,000 worth of landfill tax grant aid and will know early in 2018 if the application has been successful.

"We are also targeting a number of trusts and charities who help fund external works at churches and hope and pray for success in our efforts.

"This work will benefit not just worshippers for now and future generations, but also a number of local groups hosted by the church and we need to make sure that the building is weathertight for all all our users."

John said the work to the roof and stonework had been identified in the church's quinquennial report last year.

Daphne said the appeal would run until the spring of next year.

"Previous appeals have shown how generous the local community is in supporting their local church. We are confident that this will be repeated," she said.

Anyone wishing to support the project appeal can contact Daphne on 07984 547205 or John on 01952 591518.