An urgent appeal has been launched to repair a church that was saved from demolition during World War II.

Residents and visitors are being urged to support the community crowd-funding campaign to help repair the eastern wall of the Church of the Good Shepherd on Shoreham Beach and its cavalry war memorial.

The memorial commemorates the lives of 12 local men who died during the First World War and seven who died during World War Two.

Situated between the Widewater Lagoon and Shoreham Beach nature reserves, the Church of the Good Shepherd (CoGS) is 110 years old and has weathered decades of wind and rain. 

The wall, on which the memorial hangs, is badly cracked and in need of repair.

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The work would involve the removal and replacement of the existing rendering and pebble dash. It is currently leaking water.

Associate Vicar, the Rev’d Jane Bartlett, said: “We are hoping that, as a valuable landmark building at the heart of the Shoreham Beach community, residents may be willing to contribute to the repair work of the memorial wall.

The Argus: The Church of the Good Shepherd on Shoreham Beach needs to be repaired“It will cost £6,000 and, as a church, we get no central funding and rely completely on people’s generosity and good will.”

Built in 1913, the King’s Walk church was almost demolished in 1940 when all buildings on Shoreham Beach were knocked down to protect against the threat of Nazi invasion.

After coming across a group of soldiers praying in the church, the officer in charge of demolition recognised its spiritual importance and the landmark was saved.

Today, the church and its hall is a community facility, used by other organisations and groups. On Sundays, the church often welcomes 100 members and visitors, attending its two or three services.

“This remarkable building is open daily to visitors, from 9am to 5pm, and our visitors’ book has numerous references to the peace and comfort found within its walls,” said Rev'd Jane.

 “It’s a perfect place for prayer and meditation.

“If you can support our appeal, it will help us to preserve an important historical building, community space and spiritual home for many local people.”