Church fundraising appeal gets a £13k boost

The Heritage Lottery fund has awarded the cash to the ‘Keep St Cybi’s Open’ appeal for St Cybi’s church in Llangibby, near Usk.

Since launching the campaign in October parishioners have raised £8,500 by holding various fundraisers in the community.

The cash will be used towards the cost of an art conservation expert and builders experienced in heritage property investigating the extent of the damage to the 18th century ceiling of its nave whilst protecting the medieval and post Reformation wall paintings on the walls beneath.

The church contains buildings from every age from the 12th to the 20th century, but is placed within a very ancient, possibly prehistoric, religious setting and founded on a small sixth century building attributed to the Celtic monk St Cybi.

It has been continuously used by the people of this village since that time.

It is the subject of some interesting tales including the accident of its founding, a brush with the soldiers of Oliver Cromwell and a 19th century murder story.

The appeal was launched after a crack appeared in the plaster above its rare pipe organ.

The organ was quickly dismantled and part of the church closed on health and safety grounds.

An inspection revealed that the rest of the ceiling was at risk and the rare wall paintings, deemed irreplaceable by Cadw, were in danger of falling off the walls from hidden damp.

The church has remained open with the congregation able to worship in the west end.

Reverend Pamela Love, assistant curate for the four churches in the Llangibby group, said: “The Parochial Church Council and the community are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has generously agreed to help us on our quest not to be the generation that lets this lovely and interesting building fall into oblivion.”

Once the investigation work is carried out the fundraising committee can apply for further help towards the cost of carrying out the repairs.