A ROW has broken out amid news that an historic church at the heart of a community for more than a century could be demolished and replaced.

The crisis at Wanstead United Reformed Church (URC) has been triggered by news that it faces a seemingly insurmountable repair bill of more than £750,000.

Church elders are now considering whether to apply for a £100,000 grant for a brand new purpose-built church but many parishioners are furious that it could be the end for the existing church, which dates back to the mid 19th century.

One church-goer, who did not wish to be named, said: "The synod and church elders seem to be set on the option that the church should be pulled down and another built in its place.

"It appears that they have already decided that and are now trying to get the church members on their side in a very short time-frame and, it appears, without really investigating all possible options.

"I am very concerned that this decision is being made without the input or knowledge of the community of Wanstead as the church buildings are used by several different groups and the church is central to many in the area."

In a joint statement in the URC newsletter, church elders and the minister said the thought of rebuilding was "not an easy option, but it is an exciting one."

Of the £750,000 repair bill, they said: "We do not have, and cannot possibly raise this sort of money. We have done the research but there is no money available from the Lottery, the national church or the synod."

Hopes for a new church building have already been dealt a potential major blow after someone unknown to the church applied to English Heritage to have it granted listed building status.

The Rev Rosalind Selby said: "One option is to sell part of the building and use the funds to upgrade the remainder of the premises to make a church fit for the 21st century, that will serve not only the local church but also the community of Wanstead. I believe that this is a very exciting opportunity.

"The only decision we have made is to do some information gathering and form a group to explore the opportunities, it really is first stage information gathering."

The church has been hit by a spate of bad luck recently - earlier this year thieves stole a large quantity of lead from its roof, one of the key areas needing repair along with the building's stonework.