A LANDMARK church could be forced to close if “significant” financial challenges are not met.

A public meeting will be held next week for people to rally around St Mary’s Church in Chepstow with plans to form a “Friends group”.

Vicar of Chepstow Rev Philip Averay said the parish currently has a shortfall of between £40,000 and £50,000 a year with the medieval priory church being a big contributor to the deficit.

Writing in the parish newsletter, he said: “This needs to change otherwise we may need to consider closing St Mary’s which constitutes the major portion of that deficit.

“In an effort to prevent this from happening we are going to have to appeal to the broader community of Chepstow, so over the next couple of months we will be starting a Friends of St Mary’s Priory.

“This charity will look to fundraise to maintain St Mary’s, but also to look to improve the building and bring it into the 21st century, looking at funding the installation of toilets and new heating system just as starters. We hope that the Friends will be a successful endeavour and help prevent the need to close the building.

The meeting will be held at the church and online via Zoom next Thursday (June 10) starting at 7.30pm

To register your attendance in person or online, e-mail Rev Averary at [email protected]