GWENT curate Reverend Harald Thomas spoke of his "shock, surprise and joy" after being awarded the MBE in the New Year's honours list.
Mr Thomas, 73, has dedicated his life to serving the Pontnewydd community through numerous local organisations.
The former British Airways manager was ordained at the Holy Trinity Church in Pontnewydd in 1997 following years of involvement with the church community.
He married wife Dorothy, 68, at the church in 1963 after a five month whirlwind romance.
Mr Thomas, who was born in Pontnewydd and is a former pupil at West Monmouth Comprehensive school, has been president of the Cwmbran Woodland players Scoiety since 1979.
His love of music and the performing arts has also seen him take up the role of chairman of the Congress theatre, which he fought to save and has since run as a voluntary organisation in 1992.
He is also the chairman of the Pontypool Jazz festival and has been heavily involved with community councils throughout Torfaen for the last 40 years. He is a regular compere at community events and summer festivals.
He said: "My life has always been in Pontnewydd. When you do lots of voluntary work you never think about reward.
"The reward comes from the fulfilment of helping people. It will be a proud day when I receive the award."
Mr Thomas is the current chairman of governors at Maindee Primary School and a trustee of the Torfaen Young People's music and Arts Trust.
The former boy scout has two children, Carmen, 43, and Michael, 41, and one grandson, Marley, aged 6.
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