A HUGE fundraising drive has been launched to help restore a Victorian church which is in urgent need of repair.

St Thomas’ in Rhyl, which is one of the largest church buildings in the diocese of St Asaph, was consecrated in March 1869. It homes a ring of eight bells in the tower as well as a pipe organ built in 1907 by William Hill which has undergone a scheme of renovation and modernisation.

An appeal has been launched to help restored the place of worship. A post on Facebook revealed that the church has had no heating since Christmas and the electric system needs urgent work.

The post added: "We don't have accessible toilet facilities and there are serious damp issues.

Rhyl Journal:

Post featured on St Thomas' Church, Rhyl (Facebook).

"Sadly the fabric of the building is quickly deteriorating further, urgent and essential maintenance has seen funds dwindle over the past 12 months. If St Thomas' Church is to survive, we need to urgently generate income to our building improvement fund."

The post has since been edited to take out the words "If St Thomas' Church is to survive". It has been stressed to the Journal that there is no threat to the church's future.

Julie Woodward, church warden at St Thomas’, said: "It’s getting harder and harder to raise enough money in the Sunday collection to meet the costs of looking after a large, draughty Victorian Church like St Thomas’.

"We’ve had a year of big expenses to keep up with the maintenance costs and our building fund has dwindled. The appeal on Facebook is to encourage people to support our fundraising and help meet the maintenance costs.

"St Thomas’ is a large visible presence in the centre of Rhyl, which has witnessed many big occasions and life-events for people across the town. I hope anyone with a connection to St Thomas’ can support the church and back the fund raising events we’re planning."

Julie runs a bingo night every two weeks at St Ann's Hall. The next one is Friday, June 7. Julie also sells items on Ebay for church funds and there is a quiz night at Rhyl Rugby Club on July 26 at 7.30pm. A JustGiving page has been set up. Visit:

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/julie-woodward-1

A spokesperson for the Diocese of St Asaph said: “Like all large Victorian churches, St Thomas’ in Rhyl requires ongoing care and maintenance.

"The congregation is working together to create a new plan for the church in the future and will be sharing their ideas in due course.

"We’d encourage the people of Rhyl and beyond to support the church in whatever way they can."