A grade II-listed Cardiff church which is home to a First World War memorial window is to hold a final service before closing – for a refurbishment which could see much of the building turned into flats.

The thanksgiving service at the 126-year-old St Paul’s, in Grangetown , takes place on Friday, February 5, after which the church – which provided the setting for a 2005 episode of Doctor Who – will be gradually emptied.

That is to allow much-needed renovations to take place which, it is proposed, would include about 12 housing association flats in what is now the nave, or main body of the church. They could be earmarked for use by elderly or disabled people.

The church itself would operate from what are now the chancel, vestry and sanctuary areas.

Trench scenes on memorial window

It would mean the housing association – Wales and West Housing – would pay for the renovation of the entire building.

Among what would be saved is perhaps the church’s most famous feature – the First World War memorial window.

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The rare stained-glass memorial depicts air, sea and land battles as well as religious images. The nearly 100-year-old feature also shows scenes from the Great War trenches.

However, all the work is subject to a planning application being submitted to Cardiff council and then given the green light by councillors.

Although pointing out that proviso is in place, the church’s priest said he was pleased at the prospect of the partnership finding a solution for the church – as well as providing housing for needy people locally.

‘A solution we didn’t think we’d have’

Fr David Morris explained: “When I arrived in 2012 as the parish priest the church was up for sale, with the church community deciding the works that were needed were beyond their means. Consequently they had to make the difficult decision to explore moving out of the church building and finding another place to have services.

“We have had many people express an interest in the church building but none bore any fruit.

“What we’re aiming to do is to provide housing in the church for the most vulnerable people in the community. This has provided us with a solution we didn’t think we would have.

“Wales and West Housing have indicated to us that all being well they would like to start work in late 2016 or early 2017. We need to ensure the church is empty for the redevelopment to happen. We wanted to give people one last chance to give thanks at St Paul’s.”

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Scheme would bring affordable housing and restoration

Fr David also sought to reassure residents and worshippers who had heard rumours surrounding the church’s future.

“The church isn’t being sold – it’s an exchange because there will be no money transferred. We will gift part of the church to Wales and West Housing in exchange for them doing the work.

“The church is also not going to be knocked down. When it is refurbished its exterior will look exactly the same and the interior will be redeveloped sensitively.”

In a statement, the housing association said: “Wales and West Housing is working with the Church in Wales and the parish on a planning application that will hopefully enable a scheme that delivers much-needed affordable housing for the area, whilst retaining part of the church building for worship and community use.”

The final thanksgiving service on February 5 will take place at 7.30pm. It will be led by the assistant bishop of Llandaff.

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