Repair costs mean 13th century St Giles' Church in Chichester will close before Christmas
A much-loved church will close before Christmas because essential repairs to the ceiling will cost too much.
St Giles' Church, a Grade I listed building, dates back to the 13th century, and this Sunday it will hold its last-ever harvest festival.
Congregation member Jean Walker said the church was very close to her heart.
"I've lived in the village for 30 years and my parents and grandparents are buried there so it is very personal to me.
"It's a real shame it will have to close. It's the centre of the village, and there won't be anything here now once it closes.
"The church has a small congregation, about 15, but it's very friendly and we all know each other."
St Giles' parish committee met earlier this year to discuss the future of the church.
The Rev James Russell, who is also in charge of churches in Hunston and North Mundham, said the decision to close the church had not been easy and was not taken lightly, but had been made after much discussion and with 'heavy hearts'.
He said: "The problem is really two-fold.
"Although at present there is a small and committed congregation at St Giles, there are no new people coming in and no-one able to take on the office holder roles any church requires for its day-to-day existence.
"Added to that is the cost of repairing the ceiling which runs to a considerable sum.
"In fact the state of the ceiling is now considered so dangerous we are unable to have services in the church building any more and the congregation meets in the old schoolroom next to the church.
"Even if the cost of such building repairs could be met through local people and various funding bodies, this still wouldn't solve the problem of how the church will be run on a day-to-day basis.
"With these factors in mind it was deemed irresponsible to try to repair the ceiling and that the process to have the church closed should now begin."
Rev Russell said the formal process of closing the church was still taking place.
"In the meantime we continue to meet for our twice-monthly evening service in the old schoolroom and will do so for the foreseeable future."
If plans to close the church are accepted, the churchyard would remain consecrated and open for burials.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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