AN OLD church which has survived 80 years longer than expected could be knocked down and rebuilt.

Committee members from St Michael’s and All Angels Church in St Michael’s Road, Daws Heath, are deciding whether they can raise enough cash for the project.

The building, which was first used as an Army hut, was put up during the First World War and was only supposed to last 10 years.

Many church-goers have carried out repairs to the building for free over the decades, but more than 90 years after it was first built, time is running out.

Reverend Marian Sturrock said: “It has been well looked after.

“There have been a lot of prayers said there over the years and a lot of people feel a lot of love for the place.

“But, on the other hand, we are looking to the future and we want to have something there for our children’s children.”

Even if the building is demolished, the church is committed to staying.

Rev Sturrock said: “We want to keep a Christian presence in the area.

“We are taking advice on how much repairs would cost and how much a new building would cost.”

The building, which is wooden and sits on bricks, is likely to need new foundations.

Jan Lamb, 49, of Woodburn Close, Thundersley, runs a Beavers group at the church for young children.

She said: “It’s a nice community church and a nice little building.

“It would be a shame if they changed it too much.”

A decision will be made once the church committee has received all the information from the surveyors and other experts.