Despite featuring bright stained glass windows and a historic organ, a congregation is now desperate to stop their church from crumbling at their feet.

Members of the congregation at St Anselms Church, in Westfield Park, Hatch End, are fighting to save their crumbling church in a bid to retain its history and beauty.

After the site had been donated by a Thomas Blackwell of the Crosse and Blackwell family, with gifts totalling some £7000, the neo-gothic church was completed in 1895 and boasts a number of striking features.

Jill Whitehead, parish administrator, said: “It is just such a shame when you see some of these old, beautiful churches turned into flats or left to disrepair.

“Our church has so many special and beautiful features, and we need to make sure we keep them all to the condition possible.”

Many of the stained glass windows were made by the Wealdstone Whitefriars Glass Company, designed by Louis Davis of the Arts and Crafts movement. The West Window incorporates a small piece of clear ruby glass brought from a shattered window in Ypres Cathedral during the First World War by a chorister, who died in France a few days before the window was dedicated.

A carved oak rood-screen, also known as a choir screen, that was designed by Charles Spooner was given to the church as a donation, which was installed and dedicated in 1902.

In 1911, the church received its latest donation in the form of a Willis organ, which had formerly been the property of The Royal Academy of Music.

But now more than 100 years down the line, the Quinquennial architectural review has highlighted the need for urgent repairs to the roof, bricks and stonework as the church is suffering from significant deterioration.

There is evidence of damage caused by damp, as the Victorian building did not have a damp course, and the cloister roof needs complete renewal with some timber supports suffering rot. The roof is leaking in several places and the gutters and downpipes also need attention.

Mrs Whitehead said: “We are hoping that some of the first work on the roof will have begun by the end of the month, although we don’t have a contract from the builder yet, and then we need to focus our attentions on raising money for phases two and three.

“We’ve had a variety of events put on so far – we had people come round to watch the Grand National on the television and we ran a sweepstake. Children have had bake sale and we have a permanent bring and buy section at the back of the church.

“The church is there to be used by all, so if anyone is looking for a venue for an event we would be happy to help if we can somehow get donations from it.”

Father Clive Pearce added: "It is a remarkable building and means an awful lot to the community. We have to turn to their generosity and time to help secure the future of St Anselm's."

To help with fundraising events, contact Mrs Whitehead on 07714 200481 or to donate, visit: https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/theparishchurchofstanselmhatchend