A local mission to save Abergavenny’s historic Gunter Mansion is underway after a crowd funding bid finally got off the ground last week.

A rescue operation is underway by the Welsh Georgian Trust (WGT) to buy the building and carry out urgent repairs to restore the Grade II listed property on Cross Street.

The Monmouth-based trust has now launched a five-week effort to drum-up the first £10,000 from the public. The group says it would need around £50,000 to complete the ambitious work.

It is hoped the building would then be opened to the public.

Andrew Beckett, the group’s chairman, said time was running out to save the building, but the launch hoped for maximum impact with two key events to build on. ??“Luckily, we have the National Eisteddfod in Abergavenny, and the 400th anniversary of the birth of Saint David Lewis. We hope both of these will generate a lot more interest in the project, from around Abergavenny and further afield.

“Gunter Mansion is by far the most important building at risk in Abergavenny today. It would be a tragedy for Abergavenny if we fail in our aim of saving this building.

“This is a once-only chance to save this building, so please contribute,” said Mr Beckett.

The building is considered a priceless element of historical Abergavenny, and Britain, as a former secret Catholic chapel, in an era of religious struggle in which many were killed for their beliefs.

In the Restoration period (1660-70s) Protestant Britain felt under threat from Catholic resurgence, with Abergavenny in particular discussed in parliament as an incubator of Catholic dissent towards the Crown.

The listed building was home to Thomas Gunter, a papist convict, and Wales’ last Catholic martyr - St David Lewis - who held Mass in the hidden chapel before he was hung, drawn and quartered for his beliefs in 1679.

The secret chapel, 23ft by 10ft, remained undiscovered until 1908 during a remodelling of the attic. The markings ‘TG’ adorned the lime walls, and papers addressed to Thomas Gunter were found hidden under the floorboards.

It also housed a fresco of the Adoration of the Magi by an unknown artist which now takes pride of place in Abergavenny’s castle museum.

To find out about the project visit welshgeorgiantrust.org.uk. The crowdfunding page can be found at crowdfunder.co.uk/gunter-mansion-and-its-hidden-17th-c-chapel/?