A VILLAGE in Powys could be left without a church for the first time in nearly 1,500 years if money can’t be raised to keep it open.

The vicar of St Curig’s church in Llangurig, five miles south west of Llanidloes, has warned that it could shut its doors if more donations aren’t made.

Speaking after the church welcomed over 100 people as part of its annual flower festival, Rev Cowan said that the historic church, largely built in the 15th century, is under threat, with upkeep costs spiralling.

“There has been a church in Llangurig since 550 AD,” Rev Cowan said.

“Somehow generations before us have managed to maintain the building and meet the running costs, but without help from the wider community the future of the church here is in question.

“The last thing I want is for the local residents to see a ‘closed’ sign outside the church, and for them to say, ‘if only we had known we could have helped’.”

The flower festival was one part of an initiative to raise awareness of the costs needed to run the church, with a series of public meetings also being held to inform the community of the financial struggle it faces.

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