Hundreds back campaign to save church where Wolves were first formed

St Luke's Church on Upper Villiers Street has not held services since 2009, with repair bills of more than £1 million.

It has since been threatened by demolition but now a local historian has launched a campaign to save it. Last year, it was revealed that St Luke's is one of the top 10 endangered Victorian and Edwardian buildings in the UK.

It prompted city historian Aaron Gill to set up an online petition to rescue the building from being demolished.

So far, 561 people have backed the campaign. Mr Gill said: "I saw that there wasn't much public support for saving the building so I decided that my job, initially, must be to inform people of the demolition and get the message out there.

"When people first heard they were outraged, lots of older people were quite upset about it.

"I want the building to be saved, that is exactly what I want to see.

"There's a Facebook group with old photographs of Wolverhampton on which has about 20,000 members, so I've told them about the petition and people have been very supportive. We need to try and prevent this demolition."

He added: "Soon I'll be canvassing in Blakenhall to try and drum up support in the area.

"And in time, there will be a demonstration. We need to send a message to the church that this building needs to be saved.

"They want to demolish it and sell the land.

"I've been in touch with Wolves, they have a community and charity department, so hopefully they will be able to help out.

"I've also sent letters off to all the councillors and MPs and people high up in the church.

"I walk past the building every day on my way to the Sikh temple. It is a magnificent building which I look up in awe at. It would be a massive shame if we were to lose it."

The vibrant red and yellow brickwork and towering spire of the church have been a landmark in the city since the 1800s.

Pupils and staff from the adjoining school, including headmaster Harry Barcroft and pupils John Baynton and Jack Brodie, were involved in the establishment of Wolves in 1877 as St Luke's Football Club.

The club went on to become one of the 12 founder members of the English Football League in 1888.

The church, which was built in 1860 has not held services since 2009 and with repair bills of more than £1 million could eventually be demolished.