Another politician has joined calls for historic church and resting place of a famed hymn writer to be preserved.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds added to the calls for St Michael’s church in Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa to be protected from being sold.

Following a petition calling for the Church of Wales to stop the sale of the building gaining more than 1,000 signatures on the first day, the planned sale of the church on April 11 was postponed.

The petition cited the church’s connection to hymnist Ann Griffiths as part of its historical importance, as she 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”.

Commending on the matter, Welsh Parliament member for Mid and West Wales Ms Dodds said: “It is vitally important that we respect the final resting place of one of our nation’s greatest hymn writers.

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“Ann Griffiths work has defined Welsh culture for centuries, with her beautiful hymns being heard in chapels and rugby grounds across the country.

“We cannot allow her final resting place to be put up for sale. Her writing has been immortalised for countless generations and her words will echo for eternity, but now her body must be left to rest in peace.”

Morris Marshall & Poole, who organised the auction, told the Powys County Times that the sale was de-listed on Friday, April 5, just one day after the petition went online, and was likely to be postponed for at least 12 months.

Prior to the news that the auction had been postponed, Powys councillor Elwyn Vaughan said: “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.”