A VICAR is hoping to see a new roof on her ancient Wyeside church before she retires in the summer.

The £100,000 project at the St Michael’s Church in Tintern, which has seen Christian worship for 1,400 years, starts next month after years of fundraising and planning by the restoration committee.

And it will be a crowning moment for Rev Nora Hill before she takes her last service there on Sunday, June 11.

The church has seen a turnaround in its fortunes since she first arrived 15 years ago, when the congregation numbered just two people and it faced the threat of closure.

Rev Hill said: “The roof replacement is part of a big project of restoration at the church. There’s a lot of decay in the wood under the tiles, and it’s all got to come off and be replaced by listed building experts.

“The roof work will probably cost around £100,000, so it’s been a major effort by everyone to raise the cash and get agreements from all the various people, such as architects, surveyors and church authorities, because it’s a listed building.

“There’s been a lot of fundraising. We’ve had some grants, and held concerts, flower festivals and sold books, and people have been generous with their time and donations.”

With bats in the church roof, they have even had to obtain a licence

from National Resources Wales, and will be providing temporary holes for them to fly in and out.

Having seen some 30 people attending her previous Sunday service, Rev Hill said: “It’s been a massive privilege being the vicar of St Michael’s, and I’m glad to have played some small part with the restoration committee and parishioners in preserving its history and handing such an important piece of the past onto future generations.

“It could have closed down, but we’ve all pulled together, and hopefully I’ll see the new roof on before I leave.”

The original Celtic church was built beside the River Wye in the 8th Century, at the site of a Roman river crossing, pre-dating Tintern Abbey by some 350 years, and parts of the current building date from the 15th century, including the south porch which was restored four years ago.

“It’s an ancient building, way older than Tintern Abbey,” said Rev Hill. “It’s essential that we keep our old churches open, for worshippers and the community. We’re part of the Wye Valley Walk route and attract wayfarers, ramblers and visitors every day.

“It will be sad to leave St Michael’s, as I have many happy memories here. There were only two members of the congregation when I first arrived, so we had to build it up, otherwise the church would have closed.

“Last Sunday, some 30 people attended, and we hold baptisms and the like, but it’s also very important as a destination for walkers, who you often find sitting inside.

“The south porch is medieval and the doors hadn’t been opened for some years before we restored it. We’ve also replaced the doors at the front of the church, repaired the lychgate and now have a big noticeboard and benches in the churchyard for visitors.”

The roof work has been supported by grants from the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund and the Headley Trust, and will see the current concrete tiles replaced with slate in keeping with the style of the historic building. 

But Rev Hill said: “The church will stay open throughout, we’ll soldier on. Hopefully it can be done in a couple of months, but it depends on the weather.”

It’s not the end of

the improvement work though, with plans already in place for the provision of a WC, which Tintern Community Council has pledged £2,500 towards, a kitchen, replacement and reconfiguration of the pews, better heating and lighting, and redecoration next year if funding can be obtained.

For more information about the restoration, go to the website www.tinternvillage.co.uk