The vicar of a cash-starved Chelmsford church may have to put up her own money for vital work to be done there.

After Moulsham Lodge's St Luke's pays its annual quota of around £28,000 for clergy and running costs through the collection plate, there is little left over.

And St Luke's vicar, Rev Sylvia Chapman could now lend £12,000 of her own cash to build a much needed disabled toilet and refurbish the aging kitchen and lobby floor, if the church cannot obtain the grants it has applied for.

And in neighbouring South Woodham Ferrers the problem is mirrored with another vicar stepped in with his own cash, just to ensure his church can pay its quota to the Anglican 'family purse'.

Mrs Chapman said that many churches were struggling to pay the quota, and her church had to watch its finances and be 'prudent'.

"If we don't get our grants, I have thought about giving an interest free loan next year when my PEP comes out to get some church work done," she said.

"We fundraise and get money from the community that way. We really shouldn't have to run our church in that way, but we are all in the same boat."

But although the diocese has urged churches to remind their members of their responsibility to give generously, Rev Chapman says she will not be pushing her parishioners to put more on the collection plate: "Around 60 per cent of my congregation are pensioners so how can I ask them for more money?" she said.

This week Chelmsford diocese communications manager Jenny Robinson said a new system would be introduced next year, whereby deaneries, who have closer contact with the churches, make contribution assessments.

Church cash: Rev Sylvia Chapman, who is considering loaning her own money for church work

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