A PUBLIC meeting to help decide the future of a village church is set to take place this evening.

St Mary’s Church at Merrymeet needs around £150,000 worth of work doing to its roof which is in a dire and unsafe state.

With fundraising attempts so far not yielding anywhere near enough to carry out the repairs, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and the wider church say, with regret, that closure may be the only option.

A public meeting had been scheduled to take place in September 2020, but this was postponed due to social distancing restrictions, and matters have effectively stayed static since then, said parish priest, the Reverend Becca Bell.

Monday’s meeting at St Martin’s Church in Liskeard will be the chance for Rev Becca to give a presentation on the situation as it stands, and for members of the public to ask questions.

“Our hope is that the meeting will enable all interested parties to gain awareness of the situation and its complexities. The fundamental issue is one of finance,” said Rev Becca.

“The meeting also gives an opportunity to discover if any further solutions might be found from within the community.

“The situation facing Menheniot PCC is extremely sad and unenviable,” she continued.

“However, the PCC finds itself, having explored all possible options, unable to repair the roof. Therefore, without substantial offers from the local community, Merrymeet Church building would need to close.

“It is important to note that, although our buildings are very important, it is the people who make up the Church. I will be working with the congregation to discern how they wish to continue if the building does need to close.”

The public meeting about St Mary’s Church will be held at St Martin’s Church, Liskeard this evening (June 21) at 7.30pm.