NO firm conclusions were reached at a crisis meeting organised to discuss the future of a historic church threatened with closure.

About 40 people attended the meeting in North Hill, where the dwindling congregation of Grade I listed St Torney’s Church are unable to continue to pay for its upkeep.

Parishioners have been asked to consider supporting the church and some have come forward.

At the meeting, people heard the church’s problems centre on the cost of its share of employing a priest - approximately £11,000, of which the Diocese of Truro has been subsidising some £7,500 a year.

People were asked if donations could be used to put towards the employment bill, and others asked about the proceeds of previous sales of church assets which were not returned directly to North Hill.

Archdeacon of Bodmin the Reverend Audrey Elkington felt the Diocese had already been generous in subsidising the cost of a priest and said no further considerations were now likely.

She asked if anybody would be interested in forming a Trust to take on the financial responsibility, but nobody has yet come forward.

It was felt people who are not church-goers may be reluctant to commit to an £11,000 a year bill as a share for a priest to conduct services for a small congregation.

The Parochial Church Council are due to discuss the outcome of the meeting, and the next steps, at their own next meeting.