Church looks to raise £200k for roof repairs

A temporary cover was put on the roof about two-and-a-half years ago

A town church has launched a campaign to raise £200,000 to fund repairs on part of its roof.

It is hoped the money will be raised in the next six months, so improvements can be made at St Chad's Church - an 18th Century, Grade I listed building in Shrewsbury.

The church said work was "essential", and would prevent further internal damage.

“It is specified by English Heritage as being one of the most important Georgian churches in the whole of the country," said Ian Somervaille, secretary of the friends of St Chad's.

"It’s quite important that we should maintain it and keep it going."

A temporary cover was put on the roof about two-and-a-half years ago.

"The temporary cover is supposed to have a two-year life, so in theory, its life expired already," added Mr Somervaille.

The leak is located in the roof of the inner vestibule, and has caused plaster to break off from the ceiling.

The leak has caused plaster to fall off the ceiling

"If we don’t repair it fairly soon, it will start damaging the timbers under the roof and that really will be serious."

The church aims to raise the money as soon as possible, but work will not be carried out until summer 2025.

"Lifting the roof off when its going to be cold, wet and windy is going to be a bad idea," said Mr Somervaille.