A REVEREND is confident the generosity of the Witney community will see a successful final push in a campaign aimed at restoring the roof of one the town’s most historic building.

It is hoped work on St Mary’s Church, which was recently placed on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ register, will begin by the end of the year or early in 2017.

The ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign has been seeking cash to repair the Victorian roofs of the chancel and organ chamber, as well as repairs to guttering and drainage. It has so far raised more than £180,000 of a £225,000 target.

In 2000 the church team committed to transforming the entire Grade I-listed building, making it a key community venue in West Oxfordshire as well as a place of worship.

Throughout the past 15 years, about £750,000 in total has been invested in the project.

Witney parish rector Reverend Toby Wright said: “We’re aware that the chancery roof is not going to last, and have been told it will begin to let water in in two or three winters.

“We’re now in the last push for the final £40,000. People in the town and several trusts have been very generous and we hope people will stop the gap and enable us to move onto the final phase which will bring us into the church’s interior.”

The longer term plan will see restoration work conducted inside the building. Plans include the laying of a new floor with underfloor heating and the development of a meeting space for community groups.

Mr Wright said it is ‘tremendous’ to see what has been accomplished so far and added the work will enable the church to do more in the community.

He said: “We’re delighted constantly by people’s commitment to the building and the way Witney takes pride in this historic church.

“People have a real sense that this Grade I-listed building is here for everybody, regardless of whether they are religious or not.

“I’d say we’re already well on the way to opening up the church to the wider community with all sorts of festivals and events – and when the work is done it will enable us to us to do even more.”

St Mary's Church is the oldest building in Witney and, as well as being a place of worship, is one of the largest public spaces in West Oxfordshire.

Historic England is advising the Heritage Lottery Fund, who awarded the church £143,000, on the chancel stone slate roof repair project.