ABERGAVENNY’S most ‘at risk’ historic building is being thrown a £200,000 lifeline by a charity determined to secure its future.

The Monmouth-based Welsh Georgian Trust, which specialises in rescuing endangered treasures, has its financial ambitions fixed on the town’s 16th century Gunter Mansion in Cross Street.

Last week the Chronicle revealed how archaeologists had excavated the property’s back garden to discover the remains of a Roman road - the first of its kind to be found in the town centre.

Now the house itself is making news with the Trust announcing plans to launch a £200,000 appeal to buy and restore the Grade Two star listed building which boasts one of the best preserved recusant chapels in the UK. It is the only one found in Wales.

It was in this chapel that Wales’ last Catholic martyr - St David Lewis - celebrated Mass before his arrest and execution in 1679. He was hung, drawn and quartered.

The Trust has called a public meeting at the King’s Arms in Abergavenny on September 16 (7.30pm) to discuss ways of raising the target figure which will be used to buy the building and undertake ‘immediate urgent repairs.’

The Trust has reached an agreement over its plans with the Mansion’s Cardiff-based company owners.

Part of the project involves submitting a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to finance ‘major restoration’ of the ailing pile.

Trust spokesman Andrew Beckett said, “The aim of the meeting is to look at innovative ways of raising restoration funds…to capitalise on Gunter Mansion’s international significance as well as its local importance.”

The bid is seen as a vital move in helping to regenerate a part of the town which urgently needs a health-giving dose of TLC.

A Trust spokesman said, “Although the building has been altered since the time of St David Lewis, it retains many of its 17th and 18th century features and details. It is two-star listed for its ‘special interest as a late 16th century house with fine features and an important history.’ ”

Special mention is given to the 17th century plaster ceiling in the main first floor reception area and the chapel on the level above.

The Trust is already enlisting the support of both the town’s civic and local history societies who have been invited to the open meeting.

Recently retired Torfaen MP Paul Murphy - a prominent Catholic - has pledged his support for the enterprise.

At the moment several retail units occupy the Mansion’s ground floor. It’s hoped the property will retain its retail function to boost its economic future.

There are also plans to open the famous chapel to the public alongside a small centre celebrating the history of Catholicism in Wales.

The Trust admits the Mansion is in a ‘very poor state of repair,’ describing it as the most important building at risk in Abergavenny.

“Not only is the historic fabric at risk of being lost but the building and its important interiors are hidden from public,” the charity says on its website.

Ultimately, there are plans to remove ‘later unauthorised and inappropriate alterations.’