A CHURCH has launched a £175,000 appeal to help save its medieval ceiling.
All Hallows' Church in Almondbury, a Grade 1 listed building, needs vital repairs to its leaking parapet guttering.
Although the stone slate roof is sound, the 150 yards of lead-lined guttering is 130 years old and desperately needs repairing.
Brian Pollard, chairman of the church's fabric committee, said its oak ceiling was one of the most elaborate in Yorkshire.
He said its most fascinating feature was a Gothic script poem carved on the oak cornice around the nave of the church and dating back to 1522.
He added: "All Hallows has been a centre of Christian worship and witness for 800 years.
"It is significant because of its civic, social and cultural influence on the parish and also has many features which are a source of information for our local historians."
Work has already started to repair internal plasterwork, which also forms part of the restoration project.
Also in the project is re-pointing of Victorian stonework, re-wiring the whole church and a new lighting scheme.
A new heating system is also needed.
Mr Pollard said church members planned to approach several charitable organisations for cash. They would also apply to English Heritage, although they had made an unsuccessful application to it last year.
Further fundraising is planned to provide enough cash to complete the project.
Mr Pollard said: "Extensive repairs and improvements are urgently necessary to safeguard this beloved building. It is a place of prayer and worship, a symbolic setting for marriage and mourning, a treasure house of local culture for 800 years."
