A WILTON church is set to open to the public later this month as part of plans to restore it to its former glory.

St. Peter’s Church Fugglestone dates back to the 13th century, but it has rarely been opened to the public in recent times.

The church currently has no water, electricity or heating, and so the Sunrise Project is aiming to restore it as a place of worship whilst expanding its facilities to make it available for wider use by the community as a centre for celebrations, arts and music.

To kick off the fundraising, the church has organised an open day on Saturday, July 19 from 10am.

The event will begin with coffee and tea followed by an update on the project, its goals and current status, showing renditions of the planned refurbishments and extensions, the plans for repairs and providing water, heating and electricity.

READ MORE: Striking medieval angels brought to life at Salisbury’s St Thomas’s Church

READ MORE: ‘I enjoyed it so much’: 79-year-old army fitness legend hangs up the whistle

This will be followed by an address by John Glen MP at 11.30am who is an advocate in Westminster for church restoration.

There will be a repeat of the project update at 1.30pm.

A Sunrise Project spokesperson said: “Throughout the day there will be self-guided history tours, a children’s hunt, and one-of-a-kind gifts that mark the launch of this project.

“On display will be an Elizabethan silver tankard, gifted to the church in 1776.

“Other entertainment activities are planned throughout the day, including Morris Dancing, and coffee, tea and cakes will be available for refreshment.”

This is a unique glimpse into the past to see how the people of Fugglestone came together to sing and worship through the ages.

The church is famous for George Herbert who was rector until his death in 1633.

He was a well-known poet and penned the lyrics to such hymns as ‘King of Glory, King of peace’ and ‘Let all the World in every corner Sing’.

The church has one of the few working hand-pumped pipe organs in the country, set in a small gallery above the nave.

It will be played during the launch day by Ben Maton, a well-known local organist.

Ben is an organist, composer and journalist for Choir & Organ magazine but, most of all, a YouTuber, exploring English country churches and sharing their stories online.

A spokesperson added: “The Sunrise Project asks you to come to the open day on July 19 and lend your support to the restoration of this historic church for continued worship and wider use by the community.”

The Sunrise Project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund.

The church is located at the southeast corner of the Wilton Roundabout on the A36.