THE DISTRAUGHT parishioners of a crumbling York church are appealing for help to save their beloved building.

A dwindling congregation coupled with decaying stonework has threatened the future of St Thomas's with St Maurice's Church, in Lowther Street, for many years.

Now, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) has decided it can no longer delay the inevitable and will apply for the church to be made redundant.

A public meeting, chaired by the Archdeacon of York, the Venerable Richard Seed, will be held on November 8 to give people a chance to air their views.

Churchwarden Sheila Campbell said the congregation was devastated.

"There are tears at all our meetings now, particularly at the PCC, because we know the church is literally tumbling down around us," she said.

"There is a lot of work that needs doing on the outside of the church, the nails in the roof are rusty and the stonework is literally falling off before our eyes. We know all this should have been done over the years but it hasn't been, the money just hasn't been there."

The PCC has been refused for several English Heritage grants and Sheila said it was not fair to burden a congregation of only 35 with the repair bill.

"It's very hurtful and sad. A lot of people have belonged to the church all their lives and all their families through the generations and they're finding it very difficult."

The church celebrated its 150th anniversary last year, but parishioners knew it faced an unstable future.

It was originally built to seat 501 people, but now only enjoys a full house at baptisms and children's services around Christmas time.

York Diocesan Martin Sheppard said: "The members of St Thomas's Church have concluded that Christian mission in The Groves is no longer best served by maintaining the existing building and the traditional parish structures that go with it.

"Creative discussions are already under way with neighbouring churches about the shape of the church's future presence in the Groves."

He reassured local people would have many opportunities to share their views.

If the redundancy was approved, provision would be made for the future of the building.

The public meeting will be held in the church on November 8 at 7pm.

Updated: 09:43 Thursday, October 20, 2005