An historic parish church is at risk of having to exclude its congregation and cease to function as a place of worship.

Unless Cowley St Laurence can raise the money to pay for building insurance, it will effectively have to close in September.

But Father Steve Hardwicke, vicar of the ancient church in Station Road, says he is enormously encouraged by the community’s response since the predicament was made public this month, and says they are already about £1,500 towards the £3,227 needed to pay the premium.

“Most people [at the] church have been really touched by the reaction,” he said.

Local historian Ken Pearce says in his book Cowley Through Time that the church was probably built by early Christian missionaries on the site of a ruined Roman temple.

Its financial woes, however, are a more modern phenomenon, with falling attendance – now about 70 people – and newer members less able to meet the needs for cash for upkeep, including the annual premium to cover the church and its hall, which is about a quarter of a mile away, in Shepherd’s Close.

“Normally we would meet it out of church funds,” said Mr Hardwicke, “but over the last six years or so we have lost a lot of our older members who, basically, funded the church.

“We have a lot of new members but they don’t have the same disposable income.”

Like all Anglican churches, Cowley St Laurence receives help from the diocese to pay for things such as its vicar’s stipend, but will have to pay this bill itself.

The hall, an important asset, needed costly repairs recently, and although rent is paid by users, such as a Kiddicare nursery, which helps the situation, income is still quite low.

Mr Hardwicke is optimistic, and said fundraising activities this summer will help reach the figure needed, but any donations would be gratefully received.

With its lych gate and distinctive clapboard spire, Cowley St Laurence is hugely popular for weddings and christenings.

John Randall, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Con), lives close to the church. His children were christened there and his parents are buried in the churchyard.

He said St Laurence’s Day, on August 10, would be a good opportunity to rally support and gather donations.

“We cannot afford to lose this church, and as a parishioner I would be very happy to discuss what we could do,” he said.

Mr Hardwicke said: “We are really grateful that people appreciate their local church because they see it as their church and want to keep it.”