St. Issell’s is a beautiful and well-loved Grade II listed building with Celtic origins and there has been a church on the site for 1,500 years (writes H.P).

This year, we are seeing many couples choosing to marry in our church and others bringing their babies for baptism. However, over the last few years, as is the general trend, regular congregations are falling and this makes it extremely hard to find the money to keep our church open.

We need to find around £800 per week for normal running costs such as heating, lighting, insurance and the large sum we have to pay to the diocese each quarter. This figure is impossible for our weekly congregations to find and so we are now asking help from our community.

Our fundraising committee work hard all year round trying to raise the extra money. We have an ongoing 100 club, each week you will find ladies selling raffle tickets in the Regency Hall for our Christmas prize draw and on July 16, we are holding a fundraising murder mystery evening at New Hedges Village Hall. Tickets cost £10 and for this you will be given supper and a fun evening’s entertainment.

The drama will be provided by our friends from Saundersfoot Footlights. Why not gather a few friends and come along to see if you can solve the mystery? You are invited to bring along your favourite tipple and a glass. The drama will be set at a party in the 1920s and you are welcome to join in the fun by dressing accordingly if you so wish.

To aid catering, tickets need to be booked and paid for by July 8 and may be obtained by emailing Rev. Marianne at [email protected] or calling The Vicarage on (01834) 812375.

We have recently opened a Justgiving account to enable friends to make a donation to our church quite easily and this may be done anonymously and also enables donations with Gift Aid. You can find us by searching for St. Issell’s Church directly on Justgiving or donate through our Facebook page. We now give a heartfelt plea to our community, to those who may have been baptised, confirmed or married at St. Issell’s to please help to keep our church open.