Several weddings have been cancelled at a church which is in desperate need of donations to reopen.

St Matthew’s Church in Netley Marsh began fundraising nine years ago after high water levels within the church caused damp to the main floor and crypt - meaning both needed replacing.

But despite £80,000 being raised through donations and church events like cake sales and raffles, it is still no closer to welcoming people back in.

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Speaking to the Echo, The Reverend John Reeve said: “This church is the heart of the community and is known by so many close by.

“At the moment we don’t know how much additional funds will be needed to complete the work and when we’ll be able to reopen again.”

Daily Echo: The original plan was to replace the main floor and then repair the chancel floor situated in the space around the altar, which also showed signs of deterioration.

St Matthew’s Church closed in October 2023 to begin its restoration - where it was soon discovered while excavating the church floor that the nave and chancel floor had started to subside, suffering from tree root ingress.

Receiving no financial assistance from the diocese or Church of England, a decision was made to halt the church’s renovation – with it unknown how many additional costs will be inflicted due to the additional work.

Daily Echo: The church’s old floor has already been removed and a new concrete base has been poured.

But the final stages of installing underfloor heating, finishing the floor tiling and refitting the pews have all been delayed until the chancel floor renovation has been completed.

Since St Matthew’s Church closed eight months ago, 10 weddings have had to be moved elsewhere, with the church currently unable to take future bookings.

Reverend Reeve will be running in the Nice Marathon in November 2024, having already run in the Valencia Marathon last year to raise money for the church’s restoration.

Daily Echo:

Dave Martin, 70, has been attending services at the church for two years as is a member of its committee.

He said: “We’re just desperate to return to normal as we’ve not known anything quite like it.

“We don’t receive any funding – it’s a bit of a misconception I think – so even if someone’s able to donate as little as a £1 in one of our social events, it all really helps.”

To donate, visit the JustGiving Page here.