Help save our church

The church doors are being thrown open to the public for free every weekend, warning that it may be their last chance to see the historic building.

Plans include a shop, juice bar and plunge pools.

The grade I-listed church, built in 1828, includes a memorial chapel with a stained glass window which commemorates local heroes killed in the First World War.

It caters for 50 children and offers services to the housebound and elderly on the Peabody Estate in Pimlico.

Estate resident Doris Mummery, 83, said the church is her sole lifeline. "They come each week and do all the things the care workers are not allowed to do, like get up ladders, change the curtains, and clean the windows," she added.

Save St Mark's Action Group geared up its campaign at the weekend with the first open house event featuring tea, jazz and a string quartet.

Spokeswoman Jenny Taylor said the church has one of the finest facades in London and includes a stunning timber roof.

It was vacant for 20 years before the current occupiers, the Commonweath Christian Fellowship, put in heating and began maintaining it.

However, they were given notice last month by landlords Diocese of London.

A Diocese spokeswoman said: "The church of St Mark's Audley Street has been a redundant church for the past 30 years.

"Over the years we explored a number of options to secure the building's long-term future and finally entered into a contractual agreement with Mr George Hammer in 2005.

"Mr Hammer's proposal will restore and enhance this important grade I-list building.

"The Fellowship are very grateful they have been able to worship at St Mark's for two years longer than expected."

Director of planning and city development at Westminster City Council Rosemarie MacQueen said: "This is a beautiful building which has sadly lain empty for three decades.

"The Diocese has stated it has no viable use for it as a place of worship, and it is clear this is an issue in many areas of the country as traditional church attendances have dropped."

Developer George Hammer was not available for comment.