THE community has rallied round to raise £50,000 in just five weeks to save an iconic church in Workington.

Our Lady and St Michael’s church was put on Historic England’s “at risk” register earlier this year with crucial renovation works, expected to cost £1.2million, were needed to save the building from decline.

A heartfelt plea was made last month by parish priest Canon John Watson urging the community to help save the church – and so far £50,000 has been raised.

The Workington Stella Maris group, led by Canon Watson and chaired by John Garner, was formed to try and save the church and they stressed the need to continue fundraising to fight to keep it open.

Mr Garner said: “The response to the appeal was beyond our wildest expectations. We’ve been very humbled by the response and it gives us hope.”

Most grants or trusts which could contribute to the costs require at least a five per cent match funding.

Canon Watson said “It is inconceivable that the town could lose this historic building. I am inviting the public to pause and give thanks for this unique place. We need to preserve it, respecting those who preceded us. They gave so much in times of great hardship. We also need to consider those who follow us.

“Raising the money to repair the church is a formidable task but with goodwill and generosity we can get those urgent and essential repairs underway.

“I am very keen for the public to become involved. Your financial support is crucial. Without it the town will be poorer and we will have to manage the decline of this beautiful church.”

Our Lady and St Michael’s Church, often referred to as Banklands, has been a significant part of Workington’s heritage for almost 150 years but has major structural problems.

Mr Garner said: “There are serious problems to the structure, the ecclesiastical east end - altar end - which has three altars needs half a million pounds alone to rectify.

“There is sandstone erosion, delamination and the transept into the north walls is bowing out.”

There is also significant deterioration to the Lady and Sacred Heart altar, a crack in the east end and work required to the transept. Other work includes re-roofing, work to the baptistry and entrance. There are problems with each elevation.

Mr Garner said: “It is a magnificent building with stained glass and carvings and is of huge social significance being one of, if not, the best in the county.

“It isn’t just about religion, anyone interested in architecture should go, the church has a great history.”

He added: “We’ve lost a lot of fine buildings if we don’t invest we’ll end up with a ruin and that’s the last thing I want. If it’s gone it’s gone forever.

“We are working to protect the church for this and future generations. It is a community asset.”

The church, a Grade II listed building of exceptional historic and architectural interest was designed by the influential architect Edward Welby Pugin, son of Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, the designer of many public buildings including the interior of the Palace of Westminster and the clock tower which houses the bell known as Big Ben.

More details on the work being done by the group can be found at https://stellamarisproject.co.uk/hello-world and the fundraising page for restoration of Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Michael is at: justgiving.com/fundraising/workingtonstellamarisproject