PLANS have been submitted for a project to bring a disused church back to life.

St Martin’s Church in West Stockwell Street, Colchester, has been shut since 1953, although it was used as a base for Colchester Theatre Group.

But the Orthodox Parish of St Helen of Colchester, based in nearby Maidenburgh Street, has launched a £200,000 appeal to purchase the building, owned by the Church Conservation Trust, and bring it up to modern standards.

So far, an impressive £160,000 has been raised and the group is now in a position to put in a planning application for internal works on the listed building.

The Medieval building is built mostly with recycled bricks from Roman buildings abandoned more than 1,000 years previously.

Changes include adapting the church for orthodox use and installing an adequate heating system.

Mark Shillaker, from the appeal committee publicity office, said: “We had an incredible response to the appeal.

“There was a mixture of donations from people who had seen what we were doing and other larger donations from individuals.

“We have been really happy with the support.

“We have been in a period of consultation since Christmas time with lots of meetings with our architects and amenity studies.

“The biggest hurdle seems to be finding a way to adequately heat the church.

“We need to find a sustainable way to do that.”

Mr Shillaker said the move was crucial to the church’s future as the congregation continued to grow.

He said: “We really want to bring it back to life.

“There are lots of orthodox Christians living in the area be that because of immigration or simply British-born people deciding it is the right faith for them.

“Usually there are 50 or 60 people being squeezed into the small church. We are desperate for a larger space.

“We are going to be fundraising for a long time even if or when we do get in then there will always be something which needs doing.”

A Facebook page and a website have been set up for the appeal at orthodoxcolchesterappeal.org.uk or facebook.com/stmartinsappeal.

Bank transfers can be made by emailing the appeal treasurer Nick Taylor at st.helen@taylorrushby.com.