MEMBERS of a congregation need to raise £200,000 to save a medieval church from falling into disrepair.
Churchgoers at St Mary's in Swaythling are desperately trying to raise the cash as it is suffering from damp and damage to its ceiling and interior.
The Friends of St Mary's has launched a fundraiser in the hope repair work can be carried out.
READ MORE: St Mary’s Church, Swaythling needs £200,000 for vital repairs
Group treasurer Maureen Mew told the Daily Echo: "This church holds a lot of history and we all will be very sad to see it go.
"In the last ten years, it has gradually deteriorated, and every six months we see a significant increase in the damage.
"Unless the roof is rebuilt within the next two or three years, the entire church will suffer. It will pass the tipping point."
"The plaster on the walls is all coming away, and small cracks have started to appear in the walls."
The group hopes to secure a £50,000 grant but has to raise the same amount for it to be match funded.
Grandmother-of-12 Maureen added: "There are several missing and slipped tiles on the roof, and some of the stonework also needs replacing.
"We not only need money to fix the roof, but we also need money to refurbish the inside."
In hopes of undoing the damage, the 73-year-old is urging other churchgoers to pitch in as much as possible.
Otherwise "it will fall into a state of disrepair," Maureen said.
She added: "In the last few years, the cost of building materials and labour has gone up and up. It has increased enormously and is still increasing.
"We might need more money if there are problems lurking under the roof, like an animal infestation or water damage to the timber
"So, if you can assist us in any way in our efforts to keep St Mary's dry and safe, we would be grateful."
The church is the second oldest in the city and some of its bells are more than 400 years old.
Parts of the building go back to Norman times, and there is evidence of an earlier Saxon church on the same site.
It is currently led by Revd Peter Dockree and the congregation has more than 100 members from Eastleigh, Chandler's Ford, Hedge End, Portsmouth, Winchester, and Bournemouth.
This is not the first time the community is raising money for repairs.
In 2009 they aimed to raise £200,000 to carry out vital repairs and save it from crumbling.
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