A FATHER and daughter team who were struck by the “warm and welcoming” atmosphere at the beautiful 700-year-old church lying at the heart of their village are appealing for help to save it from closure.

Michael Vingerhoets, 40, and his eight-year-old daughter Bella are now regular attendees at the weekly family service held at All Saints Church, Messing.

Mr Vingerhoets confesses he has never been religious, but was bowled over by the charm and friendliness of the congregation and staff at the historic Grade II* listed church.

Upon talking to lay minister Anne Wild, he discovered the church is struggling financially and needs public support to make ends meet.

Now he is appealing to the good will of his fellow villagers and the many visitors who flock from far and wide to take in the beautiful interior and exterior of the building.

Father-of-two Mr Vingerhoets, who owns a photography business, said: “My daughter goes to a church school and I asked if she fancied going to a service at our local church.

“She is eight-years-old and just loves it, she is probably the youngest one there.

“We now go to services every week and I find it so warming and welcoming, they are just all really nice people.

“It is the beautiful centrepiece of the village, people genuinely come from all over the world to see the church.

“But it is all self-funded, they must rely on people’s kindness to keep it running.”

Mr Vingerhoets will run a photoshoot at the nearby Messing Village Hall to raise funds for the church’s upkeep.

There will be opportunity for individual portraits, family group photos, toddlers and children.

Ms Wild welcomed the support and said help would be needed to continue to pay for the continued upkeep of the ancient building.

She said: “Such churches as ours are usually at the heart of small, rural communities.

“They receive no funding from the Government and have to pay a substantial amount each year to the diocese for clergy stipends and pensions.

“Other costs include insurance, heating and lighting as well as general upkeep and repairs.

“All this becomes increasingly difficult for an ageing - and dwindling - congregation.

“Our outgoings exceed our income by about £3,000 per year which is unsustainable in the long term.”

She added: “It would be tragic if we were to allow the closure of such historic buildings, treasured and kept alive through the struggle of our forebears.

“We are deeply grateful to all those who offer generous help, especially the Friends of Messing Church and such enterprising individuals as Michael Vingerhoets.”

The photoshoot will be held on February 15.

For more information and to book a slot, call 07837 248134.

The earliest records show a church has stood in Messing since 1194.

The current nave - the centre of the church - was built in the 1300s, but the tower and transepts were repaired and altered around 1840.

Following the Colchester earthquake of 1884, the north transept had to be demolished.

The earthquake remains the most destructive to have hit the UK in 400 years.

The church features one of the finest Jacobean interiors still in existence, but its main claim to fame is its beautiful Acts of Mercy east window.

The window was hand-painted by Abraham van Linge, one of the most significant Flemish artists of his time, and installed some time before 1619.

The artist also produced windows for a number of Oxford Colleges.

In the 17th century, the ancestor of former US president George HW Bush emigrated to the New World from his home in the Messing area.

Mark Hews, chief executive officer at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, said parish churches such as All Saints, Messing, remain an “integral” part of their communities.

He said: “They are hidden gems that have stood for centuries - supporting those in need, reaching out to and protecting the vulnerable and preserving local history and tradition.”