Fire-hit church 'to be rebuilt'

St Nicholas Church in Peper Harow was founded in Norman times

Parishioners in a part of Surrey are having to attend services at another church after a fire devastated their own place of worship on Christmas Eve.

The 14th Century St Nicholas Church in Peper Harow, near Godalming, suffered extensive damage to the tower, the roof of the nave and the interior.

The organ was completely destroyed, as were most of the pews.

In a notice outside the church, the Reverend John Fellows said he hoped the structure would be able to be rebuilt.

He said when firefighters arrived at the scene the blaze had taken such a hold that it was impossible to save the building.

'Positive process'

The rector said both the tower and nave were gutted, but the chancel and the Middleton Chapel had escaped relatively unscathed.

The Communion silver and the registers were also safe.

Mr Fellows said he had been assured that the rebuilding would be "a positive and energising process" which would "invigorate both the building and the people".

The medieval church is situated at the centre of the Peper Harow residential estate, and was completely revamped by the early Victorian architect, Pugin, in the 1840s.

Services are currently taking place at St Mary's Church in Shackleford.