“Raising the Roof”: St. Stephen’s Church in Pill Launches Campaign to Secure Its Future

7 November 2025 7

Luke sat on sofa with Jon

Raising Money for future generations

A community at the heart of Pillgwenlly, Newport, is rallying to protect one of its most important local spaces. St. Stephen’s Church, a historic Victorian building that has served generations, has launched a major fundraising campaign called “Raising the Roof” — aiming to secure £30,000 to replace its ageing roof and safeguard the many community services it provides.

“We’re not just a church — we’re a hub for the whole community,” said Jon, a long-standing member of the congregation leading the campaign. “The building is in use all the time, and it’s vital that we can keep offering the support people here rely on.”

A Hub for the Pill Community

St. Stephen’s isn’t just a place of worship — it’s a lifeline for many in Pill. The church runs everything from youth clubs and holiday activities to counselling and food bank services, offering help to hundreds of local residents each year.

During school holidays, the church’s youth centre provides safe, creative play spaces for around 80 families, many from newly arrived or immigrant backgrounds looking to build connections. A recent addition, a refurbished American-style “Bluebird” bus, now serves as a mobile youth zone for local teenagers — complete with games consoles and social space.

The church also runs a weekly café for older residents, provides counselling and addiction support, and operates as a fully functioning food bank, offering emergency food parcels to anyone in need.

“People knock on the church door — sometimes late at night — because they know they won’t be turned away,” Jon explained. “No one ever leaves empty-handed.”

Supporting a Community in Need

The campaign comes at a crucial time. Pill remains one of the most deprived areas in Newport, with around 37% of children living in poverty. Affordable housing attracts families and new arrivals, but for many, the church is the first and only place they can turn for help, friendship, and belonging.

“We’ve got people from every background — asylum seekers, families on low incomes, people struggling to make ends meet,” Jon said. “It’s our duty to be here for them.”

A Victorian Building in Urgent Need

Built in the late 19th century, St. Stephen’s Church now faces the same challenge many old churches across the UK are battling — a leaking, weather-worn roof that threatens the building’s future.

“Every winter, storms blow water into the roof joints and brickwork,” Jon explained. “We’re seeing damp patches spreading inside. We might manage this winter, but if we don’t act soon, it’ll become untenable.”

The “Raising the Roof” campaign aims to gather £30,000 in public donations — part of a wider funding effort that includes applications to charitable foundations. The goal is to begin roof replacement in early 2026.

Phase One of a Bigger Vision

The roof repair is only the first phase of a long-term plan to revitalise the church. St. Stephen’s has already upgraded its community garden, installed new storage to expand the food bank, and launched the Bluebird youth bus. Future phases could see interior renovations, additional rooms, and new facilities to host more age-specific youth and wellbeing programmes.

“We’re ambitious, but realistic,” said Jon. “This church has stood through generations — now it’s our turn to look after it and make sure it’s here for the next ones.”

How to Help

The “Raising the Roof for Our Community in Pill” campaign is live on JustGiving, where supporters can follow progress and make donations of any size. Every pound raised will go directly toward repairing the roof and keeping St. Stephen’s open for the people who need it most.

To donate, search “Raising the Roof Pill” or visit JustGiving.com and look for the campaign page.

“This church is part of the fabric of Pill,” Jon said. “If everyone gives what they can, we’ll make sure it stays standing — and serving — for years to come.”

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Written by: Luke Lewis

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