TWO historic Blackburn churches are launching a £30,000 fundraising campaign in a bid to put them back at the heart of the community.

St Mark the Evangelist, Buncer Lane, and sister church St Luke with St Philip’s, Lansdowne Street, both need major refurbishments, and will expand their community services as part of their priojects.

St Luke’s with St Philip’s Church already opens its doors to primary schools for gym lessons and exams, after replacing its flooring and removing pews from the church and replaceing them with stackable chairs Under latest plans, members hope to extend the balcony to provide a variety of community spaces, including an internet cafe, as well as adding hi-tech wireless sound systems, a big screen near the altar, and a complete overhaul of fixtures and fittings.

At St Mark’s, expansion for community use is just getting underway, but the custodians there face bigger challenges to build a modern facility which also complies with its Grade Two listed building status.

The building has architectural significance because of the unusual positioning of its steeple, while remains of members of the Feilden family are housed in its crypt.

There, the cash will be used to repair leaks and other wear and tear, as well as bringing its community room - the walled-up former balcony at the back of the church - up to more modern standards.

Both churches have already had some work done on their steeples and heating systems but more is still needed.

St Luke’s church treasurer Tom Culley said: “We have already come a long way, but we have a lot more to do if a church like ours is going to survive.”

David Bentley, treasurer at St Mark’s, added: “We need to work together throughout this, because we don’t want to compete too much with one another. It’s a very exciting project.”

• The fundraising campaign will officially begin on Saturday, with the launch of the churches’ Crand Christmas Raffle. The first prize is being kept under wraps, but others up for grbs include meals at local restaurants and tickets for Blackburn’s pantomime.

The raffle will be launched at a coffee morning at St Mark’s from 10am to 2pm.