Art exhibitors are coming together with the community of Chepstow this Easter to raise funds to help preserve an ancient Priory Church that has been threatened with closure.

St Mary’s Church in Chepstow, a grade 1 listed building, is under threat of closure unless funds can be raised and maintained in the next two years.

Local church group Friends of St Mary’s are organising a number of events this Easter with the help of the St Mary’s congregation and the local community to help keep the Church open and running for years to come.

An art exhibition will be held at the Church from Monday April 18 to Sunday April 24, with a range of exhibitors from the surrounding area of Abergavenny, Monmouth, Gloucester and the Isle of Wight.

At the exhibition will be various artwork including painting, photography, drawing, sculpture and textile art.

The art exhibition is being put together by Helen Sjoberg and Karen Barthram.

St Mary’s Church in Chepstow dates back to 1070, the building being started along with Chepstow Castle.

It has a magnificent Norman frontage at the West Door built out of local yellow sandstone and using the zig zag and lozenge detail so indicative of Norman style.

The church survived the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII but not the ravages of nature when, in 1701, the huge central tower (the base of which can still be seen) crashed down during a violent storm, destroying the transepts. It was rebuilt by the Georgians and rebuilt again by the Victorians into the familiar crossed shape church building we see today.

A window in St Mary’s is dedicated to the ladies of Newport and Monmouthshire for service in the Great War, whilst in 1922 Captain Unwin VC unveiled the painting of the landing of the SS River Clyde by Charles Dixon in the Church in honour of the bravest sailor he ever met ‘the man above all others who deserved the VC at the landing’, Able Seaman William Charles Williams, the first ever naval posthumous award of the Victoria Cross.

On the opening night of the exhibition there will also be a raffle with a chance to win £50 to be spent on any artwork shown that night.

Accompanying this will be live music from Daniel B James and Simon Cottle plus other refreshments.

Other prizes in the raffle include two tickets to see Paloma Faith at the Racecourse Chepstow (donated by Chepstow Racecourse); two tickets to be used at show of choice at Castell Roc (donated by Carol Mutlow of Hannah’s Music), a £30 voucher donated by Stonerock Pizza, Champagne Brunch for two, donated by Henry’s and a pet portrait worth £100 donated by artist Karen Barthram. Tickets can be bought upon visit of the exhibition, through the Chepstow Priory Gallery page or Karen Barthram.

Raffle tickets will be available from Fuse Office Space in Station Rd, The Wellness Centre in Bank St, Chepstow, The Lime Tree and Kreations, St Mary’s St.

For more information on the exhibition and other events at St Mary’s Church Chepstow please visit the Chepstow Priory Gallery Facebook page.