A community group has saved a “unique” church in Caerdeon, near Barmouth.

The Friends of Caerdeon group was set up in early 2017 after the Church in Wales confirmed that St Philip’s, which closed in 2014, would be made redundant as a place of worship and new owners would be sought.

The group feared that St Philip’s would fall into disrepair.

However, the charity Friends of Friendless Churches (FoFC) confirmed it would be taking on the church in February of this year.

FoFC has since started making essential repairs to the roof.

However, the charity needs to raise £50,000 to repair the church and so is appealing for donations.

The FoFC detailed the damage to the building: “Structural movement has led to cracking, which has led to water soaking through the building.

“This is causing the decay and localised collapse of the lath and plaster ceiling. Because of the clogged and collapsing drains the walls are crumbling at low level.

“The roofs, unmaintained for many years, are thick with vegetation including some well-established trees.

“Recent works have revealed that the roof space is home to over 30,000 bees!”

If you would like to donate, go to friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/join-us/make-a-donation/

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online tomorrow