MEMBERS of a church have launched a £500,000 appeal to fund repairs to the Grade II listed building.

St Winfred in Salisbury Road, Totton, was designed by leading English architect Nugent Francis Cachemaille-Day, who was responsible for some of the most revolutionary churches of the 20th century. But the 76-year-old St Winfred was built with poor quality materials that are letting in the rain.

The biggest task facing the team is the roof, which has to be replaced because the tiles only just overlap and offer little protection from the elements. They also need to remove rotting beams and repair some of the brickwork. Other jobs include replacing warped windows and replastering internal walls that have been damaged by rainwater.

Christine Farleigh, a member of the fundraising group, said: “It’s a building full of love that needs a bit of love itself.”

So far £60,000 has been raised towards the cost of repairs and it is hoped grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other organisations can be secured.

The landmark building has towered over homes in the Testwood area since just before the start of the Second World War and is listed by English Heritage, along with its organ and font.

St Winfred was consecrated in 1938. During the war an Austrian deacon lived in the tower. When the building was given a spring clean 30 years ago a large amount of dried egg and other wartime food was found in a cupboard.

Part of the tower was converted into a non-alcoholic bar for teenagers but the facility closed after the building began to deteriorate.

A fundraising concert by Southampton Ukulele Jam takes place on November 22. Call 023 8086 5103 or 023 8086 2882 for tickets.