One of the oldest faith-based publications in the world has suspended its print edition after the death of its owner.

Editor of The Church of England Newspaper, Andrew Carey, announced that the long-running publication, which began in 1828 and adopted its current name after merging with the Church Family Newspaper in 1949, has been forced to “review its operations” following the death of its owner and financial backer, Keith Young.

In a statement on the newspaper's website, Carey said Keith was "generously the sole provider of additional finance to continue supporting the paper", adding that while the weekly newsletter will continue for now, “no further print editions will be published until further notice".

Despite focusing on global and domestic church affairs, the paper has faced mounting challenges in an increasingly digital and secular media climate.

The team behind the paper says it is currently considering future options to continue serving its readers.