IT was at the heart of one of the most important battles in English domestic history, but now St Peter’s church at Powick faces a fight all of its own.

The stonework of the tower, which still bears the scars of cannon balls and muskets fired during the Battle of Worcester in 1651, is showing serious signs of weather wear and the roof above the south transept needs urgent repair.

Similar problems are not unknown to parish churches throughout the land, but at Powick the Parochial Church Council is proposing a novel solution. It is going backwards to go forwards.

Drawing on it pivotal location – it lies a mile from the opening skirmish of the English Civil War at Powick Bridge in 1642, while the final battle nine years later was fought all around it – the plan is to create a visitor centre at St Peter’s to celebrate its unique place in history. Such a facility in such a historic setting would create a fascinating educational resource for schools, colleges, tourists and the wider public and co-operation with Worcester’s Civil War Centre at the Commandery and the University of Worcester is already being investigated.

In doing so, the church, which has room for 250 worshippers, but a regular congregation of around 30, hopes to throw open its doors to more community use. As Jonathan Slade, Powick PCC secretary, said: “In the Middle Ages churches were used for all sorts of things. They were useable open spaces. They even held sheep and livestock markets. We are not intending to go quite that far, but this is a valuable community asset that has become underused. We hope to use the church’s history to secure its future.”

The back story to this is that the PCC will be applying for grants for work at St Peter’s and if they can be linked to expanded community use there is much more chance of success. The total cost of creating the visitors centre, repairing the roof and the renovating the worn stonework has been estimated at around £600,000, of which £100,000 will probably have to be raised locally.

The church dates back to the 12th century and even before that the Domesday Book of 1066 records there being a resident priest at Powick.

The building was extended and the tower added in the 15th century before the 19th-century Victorians filled it with rather too much austere clutter. As part of the improvement plans some of the pews will be removed and replaced by more comfortable, but equally as important, moveable, seating to give better disabled access, open up the aisle area and provide a more useable space.

The visitors centre is planned for the light and airy Lady Chapel, where there is already a memorial to Sir Daniel Tyas, mayor of Worcester during the Civil War, and another to well connected Mary Russell, carved by the same family of sculptors who created the memorial to Shakespeare in Westminster Abbey. Plus there is also other memorabilia with a local slant.

As well as its Civil War connection, the new centre would include other subjects for which Powick is famous, such as the UK’s first hydro electric power station by the River Teme bridge and the mental hospital at the top of the village, where Sir Edward Elgar conducted the staff band.

Mr Slade added: “Currently we are only a small team and we could do with some more help and guidance, particularly from anyone with experience in building work, architecture, quantity surveying or project management. Enthusiasm and spare time are essential.”

For more details, call 07831 528589 or email sladejbs@btconnect.com