WORSHIPPERS are set to relaunch their bid to raise £200,000 to help bring a church back to life.

St Helen’s Chapel in Maidenburgh Street, Colchester, has been home to the Orthodox parish for eighteen years.

It has always been too small for the numbers attending, and last year the parish launched an appeal to raise funds to buy St Martin’s Church in West Stockwell Street.

So far more than £100,000 of the target has been raised to revive the church which has medieval heritage.

It has been underused since the parish it once served was merged with its neighbours in 1953.

Since then it has been home to Colchester Theatre Group for 30 years, and has been used as an arts venue.

The church, which has been closed to the public for some time, is now looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust.

A spokesman for St Helen's Chapel said: "The much larger medieval building is greatly needed by the parish, which serves a wide area, covering much of north Essex and into Suffolk.

"At the end of January the appeal had raised more than £110,000 and the process of purchasing St Martin’s now looks set to begin in earnest.

"Discussions regarding a potential purchase timeline are now underway with the current owners, the Church Conservation Trust, and the parish is redoubling efforts to raise the remainder of the purchase price over the coming months."

The spokesman said securing the new home was vital for the church.

He added: "St Helen's Chapel has no running water or toilets and no space for social gatherings or events and it is hoped that the larger area offered by St Martin’s will help solve these problems and most importantly create space for many more worshippers."

The parish appeal committee has organised a luncheon on March 3 to help give the fundraising a boost.

It will be followed by a short service in St Martin’s churchyard.

A Facebook page and a website were set up explaining more about the project and offer details on how to donate to the cause.

Visit orthodoxcolchesterappeal.org.uk.