Around £7,000-worth of damage has been caused to an iconic High Wycombe church, forcing its doors to shut amid safety fears, days before their busiest time of the year – but it would be a “tragedy” if visitors felt they could not come inside, a vicar has said.

Reverend Hugh Ellis, team rector at All Saints Church in the town centre, has spoken out after an iron gate on the church’s 15th century south porch was significantly damaged on December 11.

The damage to the gate means the south porch is not allowed to reopen until its structural safety has been determined.

Although Rev Ellis said the damage – which witnesses say was caused by a man “angrily” lifting the gate, tearing one of its fixings away from the wall at around 3pm – is a “shame”, he is concerned that visitors should still feel welcome inside.

He said: “I would hate for people to turn up for a Christingle service and see the doors shut and walk away again. That would be a tragedy. We want to make sure people know we are open and that they are welcome.

“I want to assure the people of the town that the church is here for them. It’s very important to me that all who value the ethos and respect the sanctity of this holy space feel welcome.

“It is vital that the church is a safe place especially for those who seek refuge or quiet space to pray or reflect.

“Although the church might appear closed when approaching from the ‘Pepper Pot’ entrance it is open daily apart from a few days immediately after Christmas and Easter.”

The church’s diocesan architect has examined the damage and advised that the access through the south porch remains shut until it is deemed to be safe.

Rev Ellis told how he discovered the broken gate later that day – attached at the base but laying on the porch step, with the padlock plate torn and the other gate bent by the lock.

Work to repair and restore the gate – plus any extra costs for structural damage – is set to cost “well over £7,000”.

If you would like to contribute to the fund to repair the historic porch, please address any donations to the All Saints Parochial Church Council, All Saints, Church Square, High Wycombe, HP11 2BN.

See www.allsaintshighwycombe.org or www.facebook.com/AllSaintsHW for the church’s opening times and upcoming events.