A CONGREGATION is rallying together to help save a historic church from closure.
St Paul's Church on Mostyn Avenue in Craig y Don has been struggling to make ends meet, with rumours of a possible closure rife in the village following Bethania Welsh Presbyterian Church, also on Mostyn Avenue, holding its final service last month.
Revd Prebendary Robert Griffiths said: "The possibility of the closure of St Paul's has been spoken about and we can't deny that we are operating on a week to week basis - but what church isn't? The utility bills are enormous because of the size of the building and the organ needs restoration for which we need about £150,000."
Revd Griffiths confirmed he has been looking at alternative venus and investigating with the Church in Wales' central Cardiff office the effects of what would happen if the church did have to close and what would happen to the land and the listed building.
But thanks to backing from the devoted congregation, Revd Griffiths said he is optimistic the church will be safe in the short-term due to a surge in support.
He added: "The congregation have responded to an appeal for an increase in giving and the income of the church has risen. We are meeting our outgoings week on week and, hopefully, we will be in St Paul's for a few years yet! We have an organ appeal beginning and planning is well in hand for a series of concerts - in Llandudno's best concert hall: the church - to further this fund.
"We are very optimistic about the future and hope that St Paul's as a church and venue for community events will be here to serve the people of Craig y Don for another few years yet. We do need community support to keep the church as a focal point for the local community and available to them for events and concerts. Any help people might like to give would be appreciated."
Local schools have continued to lend their support to St Paul's Church.
Talking about their recent carol concert, Deputy Head for Ysgol Craig y Don, Gareth Williams, said: "We've held it every year there and also children are involved in the choir. We do have close links with the church. The vicar often comes to the school and sits in on assemblies, and also takes them. It's a link which works both ways. It would be very sad if it did have to close."
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