{"id":96752,"date":"2025-03-25T15:38:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T15:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=96752"},"modified":"2025-03-26T21:15:37","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T21:15:37","slug":"how-a-church-thats-a-focal-point-for-the-whitchurch-community-raised-more-than-5000-for-urgent-repairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/03\/25\/how-a-church-thats-a-focal-point-for-the-whitchurch-community-raised-more-than-5000-for-urgent-repairs\/","title":{"rendered":"How a church that&#8217;s a focal point for the Whitchurch community raised more than \u00a35,000 for urgent repairs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><strong>Extensive damage to the roof, stonework and lychgate<\/strong> at St Mary&#8217;s will cost \u00a350,000 to put right<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A LANDMARK church in Whitchurch is well on its way to raising \u00a350,000 for vital repairs after its community donated \u00a35,607 across the space of just one weekend.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>St Mary&#8217;s Church ran two days branded &#8220;gift days&#8221; on Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23, where they welcomed people into the church, informed them about the appeal for funds, and invited them to leave a donation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-96809\" style=\"width:573px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-770x577.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-1536x1150.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-2048x1534.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-293x219.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-1400x1049.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-96809\" style=\"width:573px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-770x577.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-1536x1150.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-2048x1534.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-293x219.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_151341-2-min-1400x1049.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Fr John Davis, Ministry Area Leader for Taff Wenallt<\/strong>. Credit: Hannah Walton-Hughes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the money was gift aided, so the church &#8211; which stands at the busy junction of Penlline Road and Church Road &#8211; expects the total to rise to around \u00a36,800 once they claim tax back.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have an inspection every five years which tells us about the condition of our building,\u201d said Father John Davis, Ministry Area Leader for the Taff Wenallt Ministry Area, which includes St Mary\u2019s Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat we\u2019ve discovered is just how much the stonework and some of the roof condition has deteriorated.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A display board in the church showed the extent of the damage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:66% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-96830 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-770x770.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-293x293.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-390x390.jpg 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-585x585.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-900x900.jpg 900w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-1400x1400.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-96830 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-770x770.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-293x293.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-390x390.jpg 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-585x585.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-900x900.jpg 900w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_121412-min-1-1400x1400.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>The damage includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Missing tiles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Missing slates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Peeling paint<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evidence of water entry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loose stones<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Slipped flashing on the roof<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The amount of money donated is testament to the important role the church plays in the Whitchurch community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn the last seven years, we\u2019ve been here for the community at the death of the monarch, at the coronation of the King, we\u2019ve been here for remembrance, for funerals, for weddings, for christenings, for all those significant life events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We are here when the community feels they need us,&#8221; said Fr John.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fr John said that, following the pandemic, the church provided a space where people would feel comfortable coming together in small groups, by hosting coffee mornings and wellbeing sessions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe tried to find ways of opening the doors and letting the community feel that this is their space,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During Covid, the church ran a community book exchange in their porch.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d often come along and I&#8217;d see a mother and her toddler, sitting on the floor reading a book. It became a community space,&#8221; said Fr John.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They also ran an event which they called Nibbles and Natter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;This was a chance to sit down and discuss something that people feel anxious or worried about. We took a theme that was current, in the news, and gave people the chance to talk about it from a Christian perspective,&#8221; said Fr John.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Andrew and Pearl McCabe attended the gift day on Saturday and donated to the church&#8217;s appeal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe church do a concert just before Christmas, and that\u2019s superb,&#8221; said Mr McCabe.&nbsp;&nbsp;&#8220;It\u2019s a jolly evening, singing Christmas songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere is a church hall across the road. There are events there as well, and that brings people in.&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>St Mary\u2019s works in partnership with the Welsh College of Music and Drama to offer a free venue for emerging musicians to come and perform concerts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe let them keep whatever proceeds they raise from that. We just provide a space; the acoustics here are wonderful,\u201d said Fr John.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the gift days, visitors were invited to go on free tours of the church tower, taking in views of Cardiff and the church yard.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The church yard is like a community park for Whitchurch. During Covid, we fitted benches for people to sit, if they didn\u2019t feel comfortable coming into the building,\u201d Fr John said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The church has also started running a community gardening group in the yard.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-96841\" style=\"width:515px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-770x770.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-293x293.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-390x390.jpg 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-585x585.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-900x900.jpg 900w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-1400x1400.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-96841\" style=\"width:515px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-770x770.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-293x293.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-390x390.jpg 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-585x585.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-900x900.jpg 900w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250325_120725-1-min-1400x1400.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Visitors were invited to go on free tours of the church tower.<\/strong> Credit: Hannah Walton-Hughes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Michael Hopkins is a Server of the Sanctuary, and is on the church\u2019s committee.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said the church will be running an upcoming VE Day event in the church hall.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think the church is important in uniting the community, and bringing them together,&#8221; said Mr Hopkins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"660\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-1024x660.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-96987\" style=\"width:534px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-1024x660.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-770x496.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-1536x990.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-2048x1320.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-293x189.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-1400x903.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-1024x660.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-96987\" style=\"width:534px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-1024x660.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-770x496.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-1536x990.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-2048x1320.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-293x189.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/20250322_140951-2-min-1-1400x903.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Server Michael Hopkins.<\/strong> Credit: Hannah Walton-Hughes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Jill Evans is the former rector\u2019s warden at the church, and said the repairs are vital.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was baptised here, I was confirmed here.&nbsp;I&#8217;ve been coming all my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a focal point for Whitchurch,\u201d she said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>&#8220;If you get the approach right, the money will follow.&#8221;<\/p><cite>Fr John Davis<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Fr John said that, whilst raising the money is a challenge, he is confident they will get there.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI firmly believe that if you get the approach right, the money will follow. The money will flow if you get the welcome right,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy first priority is not the money, it\u2019s the connections. You build a good relationship, and if people value that relationship, they\u2019ll support us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;From the very smallest donation to the largest, I am equally grateful to everyone.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Churches, cathedrals and chapels are under increasing pressure on a national scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In January 2025, the UK government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/23-million-government-package-to-support-restoration-of-thousands-of-listed-places-of-worship\">announced<\/a> that they would be extending the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which gives grants towards VAT paid on repairs and renovations to UK-listed sites of worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the amount that can be claimed per year is capped at \u00a325,000, and Church Times <a href=\"https:\/\/www.churchtimes.co.uk\/articles\/2025\/21-march\/news\/uk\/listed-churches-expect-to-lose-out-on-vat-after-grants-scheme-capped\">reported<\/a> this month that &#8220;more than 100 Anglican churches and cathedrals are engaged in building projects that will exceed the cap&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The report said that around 38 cathedrals and churches are carrying out work that costs more than \u00a32 million, meaning the VAT totals at least \u00a3400,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>St Mary&#8217;s will be relying on a number of other avenues of funding. They have received generous bequests from recently deceased parishoners, and they have specific reserves for church maintainance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They will also be applying for grants from bodies such as the National Churches Trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Donations to the church\u2019s appeal can be made via links on their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.churchinwales.org.uk\/en\/structure\/church\/4246\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website<\/a> and Facebook <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/StMarysWhitchurch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">page<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Extensive damage to the roof, stonework and lychgate at St Mary&#8217;s will cost \u00a350,000 to put right <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1219,"featured_media":96761,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,89],"tags":[7438,1638,9093,240],"coauthors":[8793],"class_list":["post-96752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-whitchurch","tag-churches","tag-news","tag-st-marys-church","tag-whitchurch"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How a church that&#039;s a focal point for the Whitchurch community raised more than \u00a35,000 for urgent repairs - The Cardiffian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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