Anger after vandals strike at famous Newtown church and landmark

Paul Williams was dismayed to discover the windows of St David's Church on New Road smashed by vandals on Saturday.

The town is still reeling from the loss of nearby Bethel Chapel which partially collapsed last year and led to its demolition after more than a half a century of closure.

Now Mr Williams fears for the long-term future of one of the town's other famous landmarks at St David's.

The vandalised windows at St David's Church in Newtown. Picture by H18-PDW Photography.

He said: "This is absolutely disgusting to see yet again.

"If anyone sees kids or anything out of the ordinary around St David’s Church, please report them. If you did this you are a disgrace."

Such is the prominence of the building that Mr Williams is sure witnesses to the vandalism must be around.

The vandalised windows at St David's Church in Newtown. Picture by H18-PDW Photography.

He added: "These windows are at the front so someone must have seen this happening."

The church was a replacement house of worship for what was St Mary's Church or 'the old church' as it is known today.

Due to the wool and tunnel boom of the mid-nineteenth century the population was growing and a larger church was needed

The parish church of St. David's was built between 1843 and 1847 to a design by Thomas Penson, County Surveyor, at a cost of £4,600.

In 1874-75 David Walker of Liverpool carried out renovations including the removal of galleries and the replacement of Penson’s apse with a yellow brick chancel.

The screen of about 1500 of the Newtown School that originally stood in the now-ruined St Mary's was moved here in 1856 and part of it now surrounds the Lady Chapel in the north of the nave.

From the outset the building was plagued by damp and poor drainage for rain water.

The vandalised windows at St David's Church in Newtown. Picture by H18-PDW Photography.

In June of 2006 the Health and Safety department of the church insurers stated that unless certain repairs were carried out immediately, the church could no longer be classed as safe for the public.

Complete repairs were costed out as being in the area of half a million pounds and there was no way at all that this vast sum could be raised.

So with a dwindling congregation and an enormous sum of money to be raised, the Parish Church Council with a heavy heart decided to close the church. The last service was held on Sunday 21st June 2006 and the doors were closed.