Brecon’s St Mary’s the Virgin Church is set to benefit from up to £40,000 Welsh Government funding to repair and protect it for future generations.

There are over 3,000 listed places of worship in Wales, which demonstrate the quality of their architecture and craftsmanship and their importance in cultural life over the centuries.

The future security of historic places of worship is currently under threat for many reasons, including declining congregations and the capacity to consider future options for them.

St Mary’s the Virgin Church us widely used by the community, with a café and community space and facilities.

The funding will support a wider project and includes support for the roof and other structural repairs.

The funding is part of a wider £1.2million funding package from the Welsh Government for historic buildings across Wales.

Announcing the funding, the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates said: “Historical buildings all across Wales are important in shaping our communities and telling the story of our past, while bringing significant economic benefits through tourism.

“Places of worship have been significant throughout Wales’ rich history and were once a very important part of our cultural life. This is evident from the number of beautiful places of worship in communities all across the country. At the moment around 10 per cent of listed places of worship are under threat and without support this figure is likely to rise.

“I am pleased that through this funding we are able to support the restoration of many of these places of worship and bring them back into their rightful places at the heart of their communities. In some cases we are helping them to widen public access and increasing community use, and in others we are breathing new life by looking at alternative future uses, all the while protecting these magnificent and historically important buildings for future generations to enjoy.”