The ancient church of St Peter’s in Llanwenarth has launched a digital crowdfunding platform to raise £37,000 as part of a campaign to save its roof – and keep the church open.

Emergency scaffolding is due to be set up so that a plastic cover can be installed to protect the small rural church until repairs are carried out.

The Parochial Church Council is applying to various organisations for grants to cover the total cost of the work estimated at £500,000, but parishioners still need to raise a percentage of the amount.

“We are an active church with weekly services but are fearful that the state of the roof has become so critical that if there is a bad storm, we may have to close the building,” said churchwarden Mrs Pip Hassall.

Church Treasurer Mr David Hassall has started a page on the crowdfunding JustGiving.com site which gives people worldwide a chance to support good causes. “Any donation however small would be most gratefully received.”

The PCC also wants to make the church more accessible for regular worshippers as well as walkers and other visitors with additional improvements such as toilet facilities and a small kitchen area. At present there is no running water or sanitation at the church.

The church lies close by the River Usk about a mile from Abergavenny and is thought to have been founded by the Normans in at least the 13th Century. The shape of the churchyard suggests they could have rebuilt or rededicated a much earlier one.

There are some unusual features such as an ogival-headed priest’s doorway in the chancel. The church has a rare ‘Dole’ cupboard which would have been suspended high above the floor by a chain intended to keep the ‘Dole Bread’ out of the reach of rats. This has been temporarily removed to protect it from damp.

Outside is a restored 14th century churchyard cross..

Mrs Hassall said the condition of the church has been causing some concern for some years and in March 2014 the ringing chamber in the tower was declared unsafe. Since then work has been carried out to stabilise it by propping up the floors of the tower with internal scaffolding

“This has enabled us to keep the church open for worship,” she said. “But the nave and chancel roofs are deteriorating badly; the lead flashing is failing and the stone slates are falling off. Safety fences have been erected. The PCC is in the process of applying for funding to repair and improve the church.

“We want to keep the church open, but more than that we want to make it more accessible for everyone by installing a loo and small kitchen area as well.

“The whole project is likely to cost around £500,000. We are applying to every grant funding body we can find, including the Heritage Lottery Fund and CADW, for money but we need help in raising at least 10 per cent.”

Parishioners are organising a number of fundraising events - a bingo evening in the village hall; a summer concert in the church by Unicorn Singers; a hog roast in June at an Abergavenny vineyard; a barn dance and an autumn promise auction. See website for details - parish.churchinwales.org.uk/m219

• To donate to the repair fund, please visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-hassall