Grant helps restore Spittal church

The picturesque church, located close to the site of the hospitium that once offered a resting place for pilgrims on the Bishop’s Road to St Davids, has undergone major repairs.

In addition to the grant, funds raised by the Church’s congregation have further supported the much-needed work to keep the building dry.

The structure was strengthened by pinning the east wall with steel rods – some of which were four metres long. Other aspects of the project included repointing walls, replacing worn and eroded stonework, improving the deflection of rainwater away from the Church walls and installing ‘secret’ gutters in the roof to ensure the building will be protected from the elements.

Reverend David Rees, Vicar of the Parish, said: “We are delighted that St Mary’s is now ready for the next phase of restoration, which will be the redecoration of its interior. This project has been possible through the generosity of the HLF, together with the efforts of a lot of people. The project architects, Kimpton Durham John Associates, and Tree and Sons, the project contractors, have done a great job for us, and we are grateful to them, and to Church members who have contributed to the successful completion of restoring St Mary’s.”

Jennifer Stewart, Head of HLF in Wales, said Welsh churches are an important part of our shared heritage.

“We are thrilled that this grant will help secure the future of St. Mary’s Church to be enjoyed by present and future generations,” she said.

The restoration of the Church bells has been separately funded, thanks to a legacy and gifts in memory of Mrs Susan Hewitt. Mrs Hewitt was a devoted member of the Church who, prior to her death in 2013, worked tirelessly to secure funding to rebuild the Church yard walls and renovate the Church Hall. She also supported the grant application for the HLF. The work on the church is viewed as a fitting tribute to the life and work of a person who is greatly missed in the community.