VILLAGERS could be forced to foot repair bills for their parish church, despite many rarely stepping foot inside the ancient building.
Three residents from Humbleton have been caught out by a 500-year land law, which states they are legally obliged to contribute towards repair costs at St Peter's Church.
Cindy Parsonage, 49, a shelf stacker at Asda in Mount Pleasant, Hull, found out she was subject to the historic "chancel repair liabilities" rule by letter from the Parochial Church Council of St Peter's – and is now desperately looking for a way out of it.
"I am terrified," she said. "It just doesn't seem fair – I don't even go to the church. Churches need work all the time. How am I going to afford that?"
The owner of Humbleton Hall Farm, Mick Wood, 55, and another resident, who did not want to be named, are also liable.
The law dates back to the reign of King Henry VIII and the dissolution of the monasteries.
When people bought lands taken from monasteries, they became "lay rectors" and had a duty to help repair their local church.
Ms Parsonage bought her house in Fitling Road two years ago and was unaware of the law, while Mr Wood inherited the hall, which has been in his wife's family for more than 80 years.
A further 32 homes could also have been liable but the church council did not pursue them because the amount it was for was too small.
Mr Wood and his family, who have the most land, are liable for up to 50 per cent of costs.
Mr Wood said: "We feel victimised and angry. It is such an old law and one that should be quashed.
"We want to pass the house on to our children for another 100 years. Our children are the future of this village, but the church certainly won't be getting our support."
The law only came to light after Government passed legislation to abolish it.
They gave all church councils until October 13 to register properties for chancel repair liability with the land register otherwise they would not be able to make a future claim.
The roof was replaced at St Peter's Church ten years ago but no claim to the lay rectors was made because the church was unaware of the law.
A church council spokesman said: "We knew it was potentially going to upset some people. We didn't want to alienate those who support us but, at the same time, we had to follow instructions from the diocese in our duty to the church."
