Church nets a windfall to aid repair bill

Mar 10 2008 by Jean Parry, South Wales Echo

ITS members began gathering at a Caerphilly coffee shop in 1896 – and more than a century later, their church is one of the town’s most loved landmarks.

The distinctive architectural style of the United Reformed Church in Van Road and the building’s place at the heart of Caerphilly life has won it many supporters who want to see it brought back to its original splendour.

Last year, the church received an £82,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to carry out essential repair work on the deteriorating building and now it has been given a further boost of £45,428 from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Jeff Cuthbert, Caerphilly AM, said: “I know a lot of good work is going on in the United Reformed Church and I want to congratulate all those involved in making this funding possible.”

Built in 1904, the Grade II-listed church is now home to the VAN-guard centre, a registered charity, and activities there cover a wide variety of interests making the building a true focus for the community. When the church received its lottery award, minister Rev Shelagh Pollard said: “We are committed to the twin aims of addressing community needs and safeguarding the heritage.”