Powys church reopens its doors following major refurbishment

The work at All Saints Church has modernised the 130-year-old place of worship into a light and airy 200-seater building with a new kitchen, toilet facilities, Wi-Fi and a state-of-the-art sound system.

The church was formally blessed and re-dedicated by the Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron during a service last month after the keys were handed over from the builders to the Rector of Newtown, Revd Canon Nia Wyn Morris.

More than £450,000 has been raised in grants and fundraising by the congregation of All Saints Church to carry out essential repairs and upgrade the heating, flooring, toilet and kitchen facilities. Around 10 local tradespeople were involved in the project led by Philip Jones Builders which started in May 2022.

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Contract manager Nick Trigg said he was "100 per cent proud of the team" and praised project manager Darren King as a "mind bender".

Darren said: "It's brilliant how it's turned out. I'm really chuffed with it."

With strict requirements from Cadw, the church was refurbished with natural product including salvaged stone from other Newtown churches. For the first time, people can now walk around the church which has a brand new garden and extension for the kitchen and toilet facilities.

Church member Shirley Bryers, from Newtown, said she was "amazed" by how much work had been done.

"The last time I was here was December 2021 and the church was really tired looking.

"The work that has been done is fantastic, it feels and looks lovely and I’ve proud of what everyone has achieved and all the hard work that has been put in. I do feel God is in this place and that is the most important thing it is important that this is God’s house, not just a building.

"My husband offered to pay for all of the crockery, so I respected his wishes after he died so that’s special."

She added: “He would have loved this. It’s very special to do that on his behalf to have him involved in supporting this church even after he’s died. It’s quite emotional for me."

Newtown resident Rena Rowe, who has been a church member for more than 10 years, said: “It’s a marked improvement and it’s beautiful. It’s really nice.”