NEW life is being breathed into a run-down Pontypool church thanks to a passionate pastor.

Reverend Victor Owens, 56, bought the unused Mount Pleasant Church on Hanbury Road two years ago, and spent £40,000 of his own money on much-needed repairs.

Now the Grade II listed building is back in use for religious services, and the Rev Owens is inviting local community groups to use it as well.

The Rev Owens was a police constable for 30 years, serving across Gwent before retiring in 2000.

Brought up in Ebbw Vale, he first moved to Pontypool in 1970, and has always admired Mount Pleasant.

The church was built by the United Reform Church in 1904, with room for more than 560 people.

It was a popular venue for weddings for much of the twentieth century, but the Reform Church stopped using the building five years ago as their congregation dwindled to less than 20, and it fell into disrepair.

The Rev Owens, who has been a pastor in the charismatic movement for 15 years, and who preaches at Christchurch in Cwmbran, bought the church and the former schoolhouse behind for an undisclosed sum and set about restoring it in a two-year labour of love.

The Rev Owens said: "It had to be totally redecorated. The roof was leaking, there was no heating and the paint was falling off.

"A lot of people asked why did I want to buy an old church, but I am really interested in putting it into good use, not just for the Christian community, but the whole Pontypool community.

"This is in the gateyway to Pontypool, and is an important historical feature of the town."

The church is a free evangelical church, open to all faiths to use.

Reverend has big plans for church The Rev Owens, who is married to wife Liz and has four children and three grandchildren, wants to put the church back into full use, not only holding weddings, funerals and other religious services, but also other community functions.

The church played host to its first wedding on the weekend, although the legal ceremony had to be held in the register office first, as the church is awaiting a wedding licence.

The Rev Owens added: "I also want to see groups like local schools, choirs, and performing arts groups using the building, whether they are Christian or not."

He now plans to restore the four-storey church tower and repair the outside of the building, as well as fixing the pipe organ, which he estimates will cost £400,000.

To achieve this he is applying to the Heritage Lottery fund and seeking other grants.

The Rev Owens is also seeking volunteers to help with gardening in the church grounds.

  • If you want to use the church, or to volunteer, contact the Rev Owens on 07521511667.