A £1m fundraising campaign started for Christ Church in Ardkeen, Ards peninsula, after the church closed due to structural problems. The building, also called the Quarter Church at The Quarter in Kirkistown, requires an urgent survey in coming weeks.

Parishioners noticed issues when slates fell from the roof. The survey may find damp and dry rot. Services now take place in a nearby hall.

Church secretary Yolanda Truesdale said the church has served the community for 179 years. She stated the group aims to restore it as a place of faith and belonging. Truesdale noted members united after the initial shock and expect the project to take four to five years.

The church held a cake and bake sale with a craft fair on Saturday. Truesdale described it as a community event with bakes, crafts and games that raised funds.

Upcoming events include a service of praise and thanksgiving on Friday, April 24 at 7.30pm in the church hall. A fundraising event with Peninsula Praise choir follows on May 8 at 7.30pm in St Mark’s Church, Newtownards.

Christ Church finished construction in May 1847 to replace St Mary’s church on Castle Hill, Ardkeen. Artefacts from St Mary’s, including a silver chalice donated by Mary Savage in 1761, moved to the new site. William Ennis, from Ardkeen parish who funded part of the build, has his name over the door.