A vicar is calling on your help this Christmas to secure the future of a historic parish church in need of urgent repairs.

Up to £60,000 is required to restore St Anselm’s in Westfield Park, Hatch End, according to a routine assessment organised and carried out by the Church of England.

The Neo-Gothic building, built in 1874, is suffering from significant deterioration to its brickwork, highlighted by a recent architectural review.

Father Clive Pearce, the vicar, said: “It does not come as a shock.

“When you have an old building like this you expect these things, and we’ve kept it going thanks to voluntary help, but the sums needed make contributions more important than ever.

“It comes as a surprise to many to hear that we do not get financial help from the government just because we are a Church of England building.

“We are reliant on the generosity of our volunteers and parishioners, so events like our upcoming Christmas bazaar are vital to not only build up funds for these repairs, but to also continue covering maintenance bills like electricity and water.”

The beautiful building is steeped in the history of the borough, with many of the stained glass windows designed by Louis Davis, himself a parishioner of the church, and the engraved motif on them indicates that they were made by the Whitefriars Glass company, based in Wealdstone.

It is understood a bid for National Lottery funding is being considered but to secure the sums a charitable endeavour must be able to showcase its ability to raise half of the money itself.

Mr Pearce said: “That would be a big ask, but hopefully we can work to find a solution.

“It is a remarkable building which means an awful lot to the local community, and once again we may have to turn to their generosity and time and help to secure the future of St Anselm’s.”

You can support the church by visiting its Christmas bazaar on Saturday, December 6, from 11am until 2pm. Donations for items to be sold on the stalls can be received after every Sunday Service.