AN ambitious project is being launched to raise a whopping £750,000 to refurbish a historic church in time for its 900th anniversary.

St Mary’s, in Maldon, turns 890 this year, but although there has been various work done to the church in recent years, the last major restoration of the building was back in 1886.

This means there are serious issues to address and a campaign group is hoping to raise £750,000 by the time the church turns 900 in 2030.

Maldon musical director Colin Baldy works with St Mary’s and he is hoping to keep the historic landmark in good shape for centuries to come.

Mr Baldy said: “There are now some serious issues that need addressing, such as out-of-date wiring, inadequate lighting and AV equipment, uneven and broken flooring and a terribly inefficient and expensive heating system.

“Although we believe the foundations show that there was a much earlier Saxon church on the site, St Mary’s is essentially a Norman church dating from 1130.

“As we approach the church’s 900th birthday, it seems right to ensure that our generation leaves the church in a good condition for future generations – hopefully even for another 900 years.

“St Mary’s sits in the middle of what is generally regarded as the iconic view of Maldon and we hope that Maldonians will want to help us to ensure that it maintains that position.”

The first phase of renewal was the purchase of a new organ.

The world-famous Klais organ is one of only five in the UK, meaning St Mary’s joins the ranks of places such as Bath Abbey, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and St John’s Smith Square in Westminster in boasting one.

The church was lucky to buy it second-hand from a Roman Catholic diocese in Germany which was selling a church.

With some modifications, the organ cost £190,000 which has been mostly paid off by benefactors and church funds.

Residents are invited to help complete the restoration and renewal of the church by sponsoring stops or pipes on the organ.

Stops can be sponsored from around £2,000 and a name chosen by the sponsor will be engraved on the organ.

Any one of the 2000 pipes can be also sponsored from £25 for the smallest to £500 for the very largest.

The names of sponsors will be displayed in the church.

Other fundraising events are also set to go ahead this year.

For more details about the appeal, email music@stmarysmaldon.