IT IS hoped Mwnt’s iconic church will be fully restored by the summer after well-wishers from across the world donated money following vandalism late last year.

Back in December, Eglwys y Grôg in,Mwnt was vandalised with both incidents causing criminal damage to the historic church.

The community was left shocked by the acts of vandalism and a fundraising page was set up to help repair the building.

Local councillor Clive Davies said: “On 1 January, after a phone call from Mwnt church member Maggie Hughes , I went about setting up a justgiving page to give some focus for the outpouring of support to help and make repair the little church. A target of £20,000 was set having had a brief discussion with the treasurer.

“Within three days the £20,000 target had been reached. Donations were not only arriving from residents locally but from across Wales, UK and the other parts of the world, including America and Australia.”

The total fund from online and offline donations came to over £35,000.

In addition to the money a long list of those offering their help in other ways were also contacted.

Cllr Davies added: “It was an amazing start to 2022 for Mwnt church and I am humbled by the response in help and donations from across the local community, businesses and also through the power of social media across Wales, the UK and globally.

Also thank you for the lovely comments, sharing your thought and experience of visiting the church.

“Future security sadly is also something that will be part of the repairs and again thank you for the numerous suggestions and support. This peaceful church which many use for quiet contemplation and prayer, needs to be open but kept safe.

I would like to thanks Dyfed Powys Police for their advice and also updates on the criminal investigation which is progressing and hopefully will lead to a result once final forensic information is presented.”

As part of the small working group, work has started on the repairs, prioritising the windows to begin with while being informed with advice from the various stakeholders who need to be involved in the church repairs.

The vicar of Eglwys y Grôg, the Revd John S Bennett said: “Eglwys y Grog, Mwnt is such a special church, a place where God has been worshiped and people have prayed for hundreds of years.

“We were so sad following the vandalism to our church, but God can always bring good out of bad situations, and that is what we have experienced through the generosity of so many people.

“We are most grateful for all this support and look forward to seeing the church restored and beautifully decorated in the coming months.

With the fund exceeding the target, long standing repairs and ongoing maintenance will now be possible for the church which each year gets exposed to ever extreme weather conditions.

Hopefully by the summer, the church will be fully restored and possibly an open air service organised.