Wortham 12th century St Mary’s Church seeks £200,000 for repairs in next two years

An appeal has been launched to secure the future of a 12th century church, with its nave roof in urgent need of repair.

St Mary’s Church in Wortham, which has the largest round tower in Britain, has two years to raise the necessary £200,000 to secure its future.

The official fundraising project got under way with a special event at the church on Sunday, which included a tea party and a raffle.

“St Mary’s Wortham has been my village neighbour for many years,” said appeal patron and television presenter Martha Kearney.

“I’ve enjoyed many walks there, especially ones by torchlight over frosty fields to go to the midnight service at Christmas.

“In modern times, St Mary’s has been the focus of a vigorous and varied cultural life for its village, despite its remote setting. I have fond memories of narrating Cobbold the Musical there.

“Today, our church’s future is threatened unless we urgently raise substantial funds to repair its decaying roof.”

The round tower is open to the sky now after the roof collapsed in the 1780s, and the current project will ensure the nave does not meet the same fate, as it currently has rotting roofing felt and timber battens.

In addition to the appeal for repair funds, the Friends of Wortham Church group propose to commission a heritage and conservation plan to carry medieval St Mary’s through the 21st century.

Stephen Davis, from Wortham, who is acting as a consultant for the appeal, described the target as very feasible, adding: “You have to be bold because success comes from confidence in a project, and from local support.

“We had around 80 people attend the launch, which raised £1,600, but most of the necessary funds will need to be raised through going to the National Grant Giving Trust.

“We need to demonstrate solid local support for that, and I think we have made a good start on showing the support is there.”