Hundreds of worshippers attend service in shadow of fire-ravaged church in Newport

In a car park in the shadow of the remains of the Bethel Community Church on the city's Stow Hill, there were tears as many parishioners saw the devastation caused by Friday's fire for the first time.

Pastor Andrew Cleverly conducted the service and told the South Wales Argus: “It has been very emotional. I did wonder how I would be standing near the ruins of our spiritual home, but I know there is a bigger plan to this.

“We are the church not the building.”

He thanked the people of Newport for the support that the church has been shown since the fire.

He said: “I have been overwhelmed by the support and love that we have had. The turnout shows that we are not alone in our own small corner, we are part of the community.

“I feel this is a blank canvas now and a new start and we have been inundated with offers of places to meet. We have a congregation of around 200 people and we are very active in the city.”

Other churches came to show their support at the service including Newport City Church who provided the sound equipment for the service.

Senior pastor Robbie Howells said they have had a long connection with the church and delayed their own service so they could attend.

“As a fellow pastor, seeing the devastation, we felt we had to come,” he said. “This shows the spirit of the church in Newport and the unity is incredible.”

Archdeacon of Newport Jonathan Williams was also in attendance. He said: “I wanted to come and show our solidarity as a church in the local area. We wanted to say we are with them and will support them in any way we can.  We just want to offer our prayers and be present with them as they go through this difficult time.

“I live up the hill and I could see the smoke and flames on Friday night and it was very difficult. I’m sure something new and good will come out of this.”

Rupert Huggins attends the church with his family. He said: “It is very emotional and it is very difficult looking at the church. My wife was crying when we heard about the fire.

“I have been a member here for a long, long time. I didn’t expect so many people today."

As well as worshipers, members of the emergency services who attended the fire as well as members of the council were at the service.

Debbie Wilcox, leader of Newport City Council, said: “As soon as this happened our emergency team sprang into action and this is part of what we do.

“People are saying they are here to support and to help. When we get back to the civic tomorrow and we will be looking at every which way in which we can help.

“The fire service and the police have done fantastic job and our Streetscene team who have been working in collaboration with them.”

"It's important that the community comes together and shows their solidarity," Mayor Cllr Malcolm Linton added. "You can see the support that is here. It is a terrible shame and I hope they can restore it."