A 127-YEAR-OLD church facing financial hardship is asking the community to rally to help save its future.

All Saints Church in Sutton has launched an appeal to the community to support its work and help secure its future.

The church unveiled its campaign at a public meeting on Monday, March 2 at the church on Ellamsbridge Road.

At the meeting members of the church set out the challenge and how the community can offer their support.

The church says it costs £40,000 a year to run All Saints and income in 2019 was £28,000.

The balance came from reserves which are now exhausted, meaning the church needs £12,000 to keep going for the year.

All Saints say the church is not under a threat of closure from the Diocese of Liverpool or the bishops, who are supportive of the campaign.

If unable to raise the funds to pay the bills then the church can’t continue as it needs to heat, light and maintain the building and support the costs of the clergy who minister there.

Other churches in the area have given support to All Saints in the short term but this alone is not enough.

The church is appealing to the community to secure its future for generations to come.

READ MORE > Brass band through to national Championships and forms partnership across the Channel

All Saints has been a well-used part of the community for more than 120 years and is popular with pupils of Sutton Oak Primary School.

It is chosen by the community for important events and family occasions including funerals, baptisms and weddings.

Reverend Louise Moore, of All Saints, said: “This is about saving your church. Saving it because we believe we need a church building and community for future generations.

"It has been touching to see how the pupils of Sutton Oak School have responded to our appeal.

"They have shown how important All Saints is to them and how determined they are to keep and develop the church for the future. We hope that others can get behind this campaign. It’s your church and you can save it.”

The Diocese of Liverpool said: "Like so many communities Sutton has suffered a loss of services with shops closing and other facilities moving out. The church is for all and it wants to remain as a community hub, serving and supporting the people of Sutton.

The church needs people from the community to assist in the campaign. If together they can save the church and secure its future then together they can develop a vision that means All Saints can stay at the heart of the community."

People can give via the Just Giving page here.

Cheques and donations can be sent to the Sutton Parish Office on Eaves Lane, Sutton, St Helens, WA9 3UB. Cheques should be made payable to ‘All Saints Church’.