St. Mary’s Church Refurbishment

St. Mary’s Church in Burry Port has been extensively refurbished and is about to be officially reopened.

Carmarthenshire County Council gave grant support and regeneration officers helped the church access the funding needed to carry out the ambitious project.

It has involved a two year campaign launched in September 2008 to restore and redevelop St Mary’s Church.

The first phase was to re-slate the entire Nave roof guttering and down pipes and lead work has been completed at a cost of £100,000.

The second phase was to develop the interior as a multi purpose community building to provide seating for over 500 people to cater for a large range of community uses.

The project has sought to collaborate with the overall development of the town and community of Burry Port and Pembrey. It has raised over £450,000 to date and secured a large number of grants including CFAP £202,475, Carmarthenshire County Council £25,000, Garfield Weston Foundation £5,000, Beatrice Lang Trust £5,000, Carmarthenshire Contingency Fund £7,000, Church in Wales £10,000, James Pantyfedwen £3,000, Resource Efficiency Wales £40,950.

County Cllr Pat Jones, who is a member of St Mary’s Church and of the campaign committee that started the appeal, said: “When we first had the idea of refurbishing St Mary’s Church we were in awe. Our members have been superb and we have had wonderful support from the County Council.

“The work is absolutely stunning. It has opened the church up not only for worship but for other things. We have proper inside toilets, a lovely kitchen fitted out for delivering meals. They are the facilities we need for 21st Century worship.

“The work has not changed the character of the church at all, it all fits in. I’m sure the people who originally built it would be pleased that it has been brought up to standard.”

The Vicar of Burry Port the Rev Paul Davies said: “The project, known as the Narthex Project, was specifically about contributing to regeneration in the heart of Burry Port.

“In addition to serving the worshipping community in the parish church it also aims to be a centre for music and arts and a home for community groups, and the church can partner the council and other agencies in delivering services to the community.

“Three generous contributors, the county council, Welsh Government and Resource Efficiency Wales, provided about half the funding with the remainder coming from the church and community.”

Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “I am delighted that the county council has been able to provide a grant and to support the efforts of the church to raise the funding necessary for the project.”

The official opening takes place on Sunday morning led by the Bishop of St David’s. The guest speaker is Lord Griffiths of Burry Port.