The Archbishop of Wales will join people in Cwmbach, near Aberdare, tomorrow (April 12) to celebrate their move back into the church after its major make-over.
Dr Barry Morgan will lead a service at St Mary Magdalene Church to mark its £140,000 restoration. The church has been completely restored and repainted and has a new roof. Its bell has also been re-hung which means it can now ring out in the village for the first time in 15 years.
The work took six months to complete and between Christmas and March the congregation had to move out to hold services in the nearby community centre. Money for the project was raised by parishioners through various events, including a duck race, concerts and auctions, and from a number of grants, including ones from the environmental body AMGEN and the Church in Wales.
The Archdeacon of Morgannwg, Chris Smith, who is the parish priest at Cwmbach, said the church, which is 130-years-old this year, was now a great resource for the whole community.
He said, “This church is here for everyone and everyone loves it. People have given their time generously to bring the project to completion and we hope they will all join us and Archbishop Barry to celebrate what we have achieved together.”
Archbishop Barry said, “This is a fantastic achievement for a relatively small and not so affluent community. It is a true cause for celebration.”
The service takes place on April 12 at 7.30pm – all are welcome.
