But the Reverend Lisa Battye, rector of St Paul's Church in Salford, hopes her leap of faith will be a turning point in the fight to save her local primary school.
She said a prayer, stepped off the top of an 80ft spire at her church in Moor Lane, and her maiden abseil ended safely on the ground.
Alan Saunders, a parent at St Paul's Church of England Primary, Kersal, which is threatened with closure by Salford Council, said: "It was a big turn out and, just like the fight to save the school, it united the entire community."
Lisa said: "St Paul's is the only local school for the Kersal area. It offers the option of a Christian-based education backed by volunteers."
Joining her in the leap was Maureen Mundy, head teacher at St Paul's. Mrs Mundy said: "It was a frightening experience but I will do anything to help people realise how important it is that the school stays open."
Tweet