The roof at St Aeddan’s church in Bettws Newydd, Monmouthshire, is at the end of its life. The deterioration has already forced the church to temporarily close after destruction from Storm Dennis led to severe water damage inside the building.
Although the church is now open again, there is concern that the roof will not survive a winter of harsh winds and rains and will force the church to close completely.
The new roof is key to the long-term sustainability of the church and will ensure it can carry on serving the community for generations to come.
Thankfully, help is on hand. The much-loved Grade I Listed church is to share in a £473,750 urgent funding pay-out from the National Churches Trust.
A £40,000 National Churches Trust Grant will help to pay for urgent roof repairs, ensuring the church can thrive today and tomorrow. The church also receives a £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation, on the recommendation of the National Churches Trust.
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said:
“I’m delighted that the National Churches Trust is able to support St Aeddan’s church with funding for urgent roof repairs. This will safeguard the unique heritage of this ancient and historic church and keep it open and in use for the benefit of local people.”
“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them open and thriving.”
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation said:
“As well as being places of worship and buildings of beauty, churches sit at the heart of the community. In many ways they stand between the past and present. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the National Churches Trust to support the preservation of these significant, much-loved historic buildings across the UK.”
Reverand Kevin Hasler, Rector and Ministry Area Leader for the Diocese of Monmouth said:
“We thank God for the National Churches Trust!”
“It is hugely challenging for a small rural church with responsibility for such a significant and unique historic building to raise the money for essential repairs and maintenance. The help and support offered to us by National Churches Trust has been exceptional and we are so grateful that we have this funding to help us replace our well-worn roof and protect our magnificent and special rood screen and preserve this site for generations to come.”
“St Aeddan’s is a jewel in the rural Monmouthshire Countryside, and our little church building plays an important role for the local community and those visiting the area. This funding will help to ensure St Aeddan’s remains a special place for pilgrims and travellers, those of faith and with no faith, for all who seek peace, tranquillity, shelter and shade in this wonderful part of Wales.”
How the grant will help the church
The funding will enable the reroofing of the degraded stone tiled roof. It is estimated that 75 per cent or more of the current roof tiles will need to be replaced. The funding will also include an inspection of the supporting roof timbers and to repair and rectify any substandard roof supports. Also to eradicate any insect infestation.
More about St Aeddan’s church
St Aeddan’s is Grade I Listed single cell building. It is a well-preserved and well-restored 15th century medieval parish church, with 12th century foundations.
The church retains fine original details, including the late medieval screen. The complete rood screen, “has a completeness and a place in its original place and surroundings which makes it unlike any other survival” – Wales’s Best One Hundred Churches (T J Hughes, 2006).
The church consists of barrel-vaulted nave with integral chancel, which is divided by the almost complete oak rood screen with its loft and tympanum still in situ. It is thought to be perhaps the most complete rood arrangement in any church in England and Wales. There is a rood stair against the south wall of the nave, a west bellcote and west porch, all of which date from the 15th century.
There is an unusually fine bowl Norman font suggesting that the foundations of the church may also be Norman. This might account for the earlier wall discovered in 1952, 6m east of the current wall.
The church is surrounded by three of Wales’s most historic Yew trees. The churchyard is also renowned for its beautiful setting as it is located at the crossroads of some of the Usk Valley’s most ancient walk paths, which draws walkers from Wales and beyond.
Significant help for churches is available
Thirty-three churches across the UK will stay open and in good repair thanks to £473,750 of funding awarded and recommended by the National Churches Trust in this latest round of grants. Find out about all the churches we’ve helped in this latest round of grants here.
In 2022, the National Churches Trust made over 255 grant awards to churches throughout the United Kingdom, with funding totalling more than £1.95m.
In 2023, grants continue to be available churches of any Christian denomination that are open for regular worship to fund urgent repairs, maintenance, installing toilets or kitchens and feasibility studies to develop projects. Full details are at: nationalchurchestrust.org/grants
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