The sale of a historic Powys church has been delayed after a petition collected hundreds of signatures within a day.
A petition calling for the Church of Wales to stop the sale of St Michael's Church in Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, gained more than 1,000 signatures on just its first day.
The petition, launched on Thursday, April 4, declared dissatisfaction with the historic church near Llanfyllin being sold, arguing that “the church has a special place in the history of Wales”, as it was due to head to auction on April 11.
Morris Marshall & Poole, who organised the auction, told the Powys County Times that the sale was de-listed on Friday (April 5) and was likely to be postponed for 12 months.
READ MORE:
- Cannabis farm above Powys bank could be police force's 'biggest ever drugs haul'
- Celebrations as 'one in a million' quintuplet lambs born on Powys farm
- Investigation launched into hillside works as residents fear it will 'destroy' homes
The petition also takes note of the church’s connection to hymnist Ann Griffiths, who worshipped and was married at the church, while her body is buried in the church grounds. The petition also states that “Ann Griffiths is considered among the greatest religious poets in Europe”.
It also adds: “We believe that one of the largest religious organizations in our country, namely The Church in Wales, has the financial means to stop this sale. We declare that the sale must be stopped to discover different forms and sources to save this important building.”
On Friday afternoon, the Church in Wales confirmed that the auction sale had been postponed for a year.
‘St Michael’s Church, Llanfihangel yng Ngwynfa, which dates from the 1860s, has been closed since January 2020 after its structural repair costs became greater than the resources of the local worshipping community," a spokesperson for the Church in Wales said.
"The proposed sale of the building would retain public access to the churchyard, including the memorial to Ann Griffiths (1776-1805).
"Given the recent expressions of interest in the future of the building, the Representative Body of the Church in Wales will postpone the auction sale for a year to enable further discussions to take place.
"Anyone interested in exploring possible options for this church should contact the Representative Body.”
In 2020 the church was forced to closed due to the condition of the building, with the Diocese of St Asaph announcing that the costs of repairing the building were too high. Over 200 people gathered in the church for its final Plygain Fawr in January 2020.
Speaking on the significance of Ann Griffiths, songwriter Lleuwen Steffan said: “We are still riding on the wave of the poetic expression of her faith.
“She was baptized here, and married here. It goes to auction in a week. It is a place of great historical importance. But Welsh History is disregarded.
“Ann Griffiths wrote a total of just 30 hymns and as clichés go it really is quality rather than quantity. Her hymns are imprinted in our collective memory.”
Cllr Elwyn Vaughan added: “In seeing the church at Llanfihangel for sale - it is a sad reflection of the huge changes in our rural communities.
“We need to see how new cultural domains can be created, making the most of our heritage and resources. That's why I've been pushing for this church and its cultural importance to be seen as part of a network.
“A cultural tourism product needs to be developed in Powys rooted in our communities, respecting our heritage.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here