A vicar is struggling to find £73,000 to repair an ancient church wall which collapsed next to a busy town centre road because the insurance company refuses to pay up.

A claim submitted by the Rev Nathan Ward of St Margaret’s Church, in Rainham, has been declined because the insurers blamed it on a “lack of maintenance”.

The firm also concluded it was neither sudden nor unexpected.

But Mr Ward strongly disputes this saying that the wall, which fronts on to the A2 in the High Street, has been surveyed by structural engineers and heritage conservation specialists.

He believes the large section of Grade II-listed stone structure has been weakened by increased heavy traffic hurtling past at all times of day.

When the wall collapsed in January this year, drivers had been using the stretch between Rainham and Faversham while lengthy and delayed works were carried out on the Stockbury roundabout.

It came down suddenly early one morning narrowly missing passers-by and was “a complete surprise” to church members.

He also blames the wet and freezing weather for the collapse which has weakened other sections, including the retaining wall to the graveyard by the neighbouring Cricketers pub leading to a public car park.

Mr Ward is appealing the decision made by Ecclesiastical Insurance, the leading company covering church claims.

He said: “This is an uphill struggle. The cost of repairs will be borne by St Margaret’s Church which receives no financial support from the national church.

“People have this perception that the church is rich because the Church Commissioners are wealthy, but we don’t see a penny of their money.

”We have maintained the wall in line with all the inspections and have already carried out extensive repairs to ensure that it is safe for the community in Rainham.

“It was suggested that it was caused by rain coming off the roof and going onto the base of the wall.

“The fact that a survey has shown that our drains are clear and the footpath slopes horizontally to the wall would mean that the water would have to run uphill too reach the wall.”

He added: “St Margaret’s has survived the Second World War, but alas not the traffic and rain.

“It also seems it has not survived the absurdity of the claims department.

“As a vicar I believe in miracles, but water running uphill is a new one on me.”

He said if they had closed off the graveyard, which dates back to Saxon times, Medway Council may have been liable to foot the bill.

He said: “We decided to keep it open so that the people of Rainham could continue to bury their loved ones.”

Mr Ward is appealing to the congregation for donations and has received £7,000 from a charitable trust.

“With the cost of living, people just can’t afford to dig deep into their pockets these days,” he said.

The church’s executive pastor, Terry Whittaker, has written to the insurance company expressing “disappointment” and concern over its decision.

In response, a senior claims handler has replied pledging to “conduct a thorough investigation” into issues raised.