A CHURCH in Royston, which was given a grant to repair the roof, needs to raise £55, 000 in four months because the roof is in such bad condition.
The St John the Baptist Church was awarded £106, 000 by the English Heritage last month to replace the roof as part of a scheme to support historic places of worship.
The church has until December to find the £60, 000 needed to match the grant but fear the work will have to be started as early as August.
Church warden Christina Cockroft said church members were asked not to make news of the grant common knowledge until March, when it was announced by the English Heritage, leaving them with even less time to raise the cash.
Christina, of St John's Walk, said: "Technically they are right in saying we have until December but the way the water is coming through the roof and the way the architect is working, they would be ready to start in August."
The church is hoping to have raised the cash by July so the nave, chancel, south aisle and south porch roofs and masonry can be restored.
Members have managed to raise £5, 500 and launched the Roof Appeal in the Community on Sunday to make people aware of what condition the church is in and how much money is needed.
Christina said the money would have to be borrowed if members were unable to raise it.
She added: "We are not thinking about what will happen if we don't find it. We have to get it.
"Whatever happens, that roof has got to be done."
