Safeguarding
Find clergy
St Stephen's Church in Pill is celebrating a major funding milestone that will transform one of Newport's most important community spaces after securing the final grants needed to begin a major programme of restoration and redevelopment.
The "Raising the Roof for Our Community in Pill" campaign has successfully brought together funding from the Welsh Government Community Facilities Programme, the National Churches Trust, the Welsh Churches Fund, generous local organisations, community fundraising, public donations and other grant-making bodies. Together, these awards will enable work to begin on a project that will secure the future of the historic church buildings while expanding the services they provide to local people.
For many years St Stephen's has been far more than a place of worship. It has become a thriving community hub, providing a safe and welcoming space for a wide range of activities including the Play Garden, toddler groups, an after-school club, holiday activities, clothes and toy swaps, the Community Food Pantry, Bible Club and many other initiatives that support families across Pill.
The vision for transforming St Stephen's began more than five years ago with redevelopment inside the church. Alterations to the worship space created a more flexible, welcoming environment that could be used throughout the week by both the church and the wider community. Those changes demonstrated how a historic church building could become a vibrant community hub while continuing to be a place of worship, and they laid the foundations for the ambitious programme of restoration and development now moving forward.
The first phase of the project will see the replacement of the church's failing roof, protecting the Victorian building for generations to come. Once completed, the second phase—already part-funded—will transform the interior to create modern, flexible spaces that will allow community activities to grow and new services to be introduced.
The campaign has been led by a dedicated team of local volunteers, supported by Calum Glanville-Ellis, Church Development Officer at Diocese of Monmouth, whose expertise has helped secure the significant external funding needed to bring the vision to life.
The fundraising effort has also been strengthened by widespread local support through the Raising the Roof campaign, including donations from residents, local organisations and businesses, with particular support from the Dragons Rugby Club.
The Rev'd Kevin Hasler, of St Stephen's, said: "Receiving these grants is a tremendous answer to prayer and wonderful news for the whole community. We are deeply grateful to every organisation, donor and volunteer who has believed in this vision. Together we are not simply repairing a roof—we are investing in the future of Pill by creating a place where people of all ages can find friendship, support and hope for many years to come."
Jon Weatherall, who has led the community fundraising campaign, added: "This project has shown what can happen when a community comes together. Every donation, every fundraising event and every volunteer has played a part in reaching this point. We want to thank everyone who has supported us, from local residents and community groups to the Dragons Rugby Club and our funding partners. This is an investment in the whole community."
Built in the 1880s to serve the rapidly growing population of Pill during Newport's industrial expansion, St Stephen's Church has stood at the heart of the community for almost 140 years. Time and weather have taken their toll on the buildings, making significant repairs increasingly urgent. The restoration project will ensure that this much-loved landmark continues to serve local people long into the future.
Construction work is expected to begin in the coming months, with regular updates being shared as the project progresses.
Notes for Editors
The Raising the Roof for Our Community in Pill campaign is a community-led initiative to restore and modernise St Stephen's Church, ensuring it remains a safe, sustainable and vibrant centre for community life. The project has been made possible through funding from the Welsh Government Community Facilities Programme, the National Churches Trust, the Welsh Churches Fund, local fundraising, public donations and the support of numerous partner organisations and volunteers.
