ABERYSTWYTH Town Council has called on Ceredigion council to intervene to preserve historic artefacts at a closed church amid safety fears.

Town clerk Gweneira Raw-Rees wrote to Ceredigion’s building control services on behalf of the council to call on them to protect a list of valuable items at St Winefride’s Church on Queen’s Road, that has been closed since 2012 while parishioners battle with the diocese over the future of the building.

Artefacts in the church, to which access has been denied to parishioners by the diocese because of safety concerns, include a 1790 chamber organ donated by the Pryse family of Gogerddan; a stained glass window by famous Irish artist Richard King; a painting by the Italian artist Sorgiani who lived in Aberystwyth until about the 1950s; a marble pulpit; and the 1870s stone altar.

In her letter, the town clerk wrote: “Access to parishioners has been denied for the past five years and although past surveys have shown the building is structurally sound the Diocese of Menevia have refused all access for maintenance or repairs.

“An independent survey has also been refused as the diocese seems determined to demolish the church in favour of a new build in Penparcau.

“During the five years no maintenance has been permitted of the much-loved church, building and landmark.

“St Winefride’s is not just of architectural merit but has historic significance too and played a pivotal role in developing Welsh language liturgy in the Catholic Church in Wales.

“The artefacts within the church are valuable and historic.”

In response, Alan Davies, the development manager for lifestyle services at Ceredigion council, said that while it was noted during a visit in early 2013 to respond to fallen roof debris that the building “would continue to deteriorate” without maintenance, no notice was issued for it being a dangerous building as the “danger had passed”.

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