The future of St Mary's Church on Foulness Island could still be assured if enough parishioners come forward to show their support, say church leaders.

However, the prospect of overturning the decision to close the church seems increasingly unlikely.

That's because the congregation at the church on the remote south Essex island has dwindled to just a dozen and the Victorian-built church is facing a estimated £500,000 bill for major repairs, says the Rev Philip Banks.

A lengthy public consultation exercise has been launched to find out what people think of the plan to shut the church on the Ministry of Defence-owned island.

But a final decision, which will be taken by the Bishop of Chelmsford the Right Reverend John Perry, is probably still over a year away.

Mr Banks, the Bishop's spokesman, said it was important to remember that the Anglian church was not leaving the island.

He said: "Foulness will be covered by the parish of Great Wakering and St Mary's church yard will remain open as it has done for years. The wheels of the church turn mightily slow but the parochial church council has decided that closure is the right decision."

Foulness, which has about 200 residents, has long since lost its own vicar and the vicarage has been rented out for the past 20 years.

Pastoral care for the community passed to the parish of Great Wakering some years ago but the new vicar, the Rev Bill Frewin, is not due to take over for at least a couple of months following the retirement of the Rev Brian Shannon earlier this year.

Mr Banks said: "In theory the church could be saved if enough people come forward in the parish to petition for it.

"But the congregation is so small and the bill for repairs is so big I think it is very unlikely."

There is still no date for its final closure. When it does finally close however, it will pass into the hands of the Redundant Churches Commission.

They will look after it and seek an alternative community use. It will not be sold off. Its fate seems sealed.

Church leaders called a meeting of residents in March of this year to find out what they thought abut the church but only 20 people turned up.

Mr Banks said: "The church may be closing but there will always be a clergyman for the area in Great Wakering."

Great Wakering British Legion said their official goodbye to the church on November 14 at what could well be the last ever Remembrance Day service there. Then there was a congregation of 140 - a rare sight nowadays.

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