By Lorna Petty

Part of a churchyard has been cordoned off after an inspection revealed loose gable stones at risk of falling on worshippers.

St Peter and St Paul church in Swanscombe has advised visitors to stay away from the wobbly brickwork amid safety fears.

Reverend Charlie Lloyd-Evans said emergency repairs to the building, which is the oldest in the village, are a priority and are likely to cost around £3,000.

“It is really important to us to preserve the building but also to look out for people’s safety,” she said.

The reverend expressed her hope works will be completed within the next four to six weeks, but said it would depend on the availability of contractors.

The clergywoman added: “Fortunately we do have the funds to complete these emergency repairs, but this will deplete our church repair and maintenance fund.”

The church has already been raising money for longer-term renovations through their ‘Friends of St Peter and St Paul’s programme.

As part of the scheme, people can donate a monthly amount towards the upkeep of the building, and are offered a bi-annual newsletter update, 10% discount on hall hire, and concessions for some events held on the premises.

With the tagline ‘Preserve Swanscombe’s Heritage’, the church hopes the funds will enable the grade I listed building to retain its historical and community importance for religious and non-religious residents alike.

Last year they successfully raised funds to repair the chalk front of the building which dates back to Norman times.

They were also able to enlist the help of homebuilding company Bellway alongside a community fundraising appeal to renovate the front which dates back to the 1300s.

Currently the roof, masonry, and gutters are the parts of the church most in need of repair.

“Regular renovation works are inevitable in a building this old, it is expensive to maintain,” said Rev’d Lloyd-Evans.

“Even small donations, if given regularly, have a significant impact in the longer term.”

Swanscombe Town Mayor Ann Duke said the church is the “bedrock of the community” in the town and a “precious building that is firmly a part of our heritage”.

She added that the church plays a key role in assisting the local area through food distribution services, providing guidance and support and various social and activity groups for all ages.

“There is always a warm welcome,” said cllr Duke. “It might look like a traditional church building but anyone can use it.

“Lots of events take place for the community in the church building as well as the church centre across the road.”

Local historian Christoph Bull emphasised the “paramount importance” of maintaining the church building, adding that it is “absolutely essential to the identity” of Swanscombe.

He said the Norman building was almost destroyed when it was struck by lightning in 1902 and set on fire.

“The knave was burnt, the tower was on fire, a beam from the ceiling fell and smashed the chalk font,” Christoph said.

Repairs done in the 1950s and 60s used concrete and cement which later proved unsuitable, meaning today lots of work still remains to be done to restore the ancient building.

The church is also home to several graves of historical importance, including Erasmus Wilson who brought the obelisk known as ‘Cleopatra’s needle’ back to the UK, and Sir Anthony Weldon a parliamentarian who is most well-known for abolishing Christmas in 1647.