Seventh-century church St Mary’s Stoke D’Abernon has taken the very modern step of allowing contactless payments for donations, hoping it will help attract a younger congregation.

The church – the oldest in Surrey – made the move after the lay minister read about the Church of England’s contactless payment trial last summer, and told duty warden and chairman of the fundraising committee Bill Maloney.

Mr Maloney said: “Cash is being used less and less, and the church’s younger congregation has increased rapidly over the past five years, so it made sense for us to upgrade our technology and offer additional ways to donate.”

The team had wifi installed – no mean feat with 1300-year-old walls – and bought card readers from fintech business iZettle, so churchgoers can now donate from anywhere in the building.

Older members of the congregation are embracing the change, too.

Mr Maloney said: “Our head sidesman, who is an elderly gentleman, has taken a lead role in using the iZettle reader. He is really promoting contactless payments in particular and has been pivotal in supporting and rolling the technology out.”