A Dudley church, which houses stained glass windows to footballing legend Duncan Edwards, is appealing to the community for help to ensure the church and memorial are there for many more generations to enjoy.

After wet and dry rot was discovered inside St Francis in Laurel Road, church members, who regularly welcome football fans from around the globe to view the two windows dedicated to the Manchester United and England star, have launched an online fundraising page in a bid to safeguard its future, as building costs are set to wipe out all of its reserves. 

Dudley Team Rector, Reverend James Treasure, said: “St Francis is a special place, not only for the Priory and Wren's Nest communities, but to football fans worldwide who we frequently welcome to the borough to pay tribute to the church’s local lad, Duncan Edwards, whose funeral was held here in 1958.

“However sadly, the discovery of severe dry and wet rot in the church alongside rising energy costs have meant that our financial resources have been stretched to their limit and we are currently facing a substantial challenge.

“As it stands, we have enough to pay the initial repair costs and we are thankful to have received some funding from the national church and other local churches, but by next Easter we will struggle to cover monthly expenses, forcing us to make some difficult decisions.

"We hope that the community might help us raise some additional funds to ensure the future of this beautiful church.”

While urgent remedial work gets underway, weekly services have been moved to the church’s Parish Centre, which is also home to a number of community groups, including FoodCycle, which provides a free three-course meal to local residents once a week. 

The church’s fundraising appeal can be found at givealittle.co/c/stfrancischurchdudley.