LANTERNS will light up the sky to launch an appeal to bring the oldest building in the borough up-to-date.

St Mary the Virgin church in East Barnet is launching Appeal 1000+ on Advent Sunday, November 28, to raise the first £1,000 towards the £250,000 it needs to complete improve its facilities.

The money raised will go towards the refurbishment of the church, including providing modern toilets, a kitchen and meeting rooms.

At 5pm on Sunday there will be a peal of 1,000 bell chimes followed by the release of 100 eco-friendly Chinese lanterns from Saxon Field next to the church.

There will be a wine reception after the evening service at 6.30pm in the church.

Richard Watson, Rector at the church, said: “It’s our responsibility to look after the needs of the church community today and for the future generations to come.

“We want to make sure that the church is here in another number of years – just with modern amenities.”

The north wall of the church dates to 1080 and retains its Norman origins with the original glass windows still in place.

Appeal manager, Richard Selby has compiled a pamphlet on the history of the church and its parish.

He said: “It’s romantic to think that if the church was never built there might never have been an East Barnet – people moved here because the church was the hub of the community at the time.”

Full details of the refurbishment at the Grade II listed building will be unveiled in the new year.

People are invited to sponsor a lantern for £10 or make a donation on the evening. For more information contact the parish office on 0208 3617 524.