Bethel Community Church, also known as The House, has officially announced the grand re-opening of its historic building following a full restoration after a catastrophic fire in 2018.
The event, set to take place on Saturday 28th September, will mark a significant moment of renewal and triumph for the congregation and wider Newport community.
The fire, which broke out on 15th June 2018, caused widespread destruction, leaving the original 1884 structure severely damaged.
Described as one of Newport’s worst fires, the blaze consumed the entire ceiling, leaving rooms gutted.
Remarkably, however, the church's prayer room remained mostly unscathed - a fact that the church leaders attribute to divine intervention.
“The fire service reported that the heat was so intense, yet this room, filled with chairs, sofas, and tables, wasn’t destroyed” a church representative said in a statement.
Pastor Andrew Cleverly told Premier that initially, his congregation was in "despair" at the destruction of the building, as the church was a "spiritual home" to many. However, he kept faith throughout the process.
Pastor Cleverly shared how he knew that "God had a plan in all of this" and in the end they got "one or two of our dreams, most of our wants and everything that we needed".
The re-opening celebration will kick off with a day of activities. The community is invited to explore the newly restored building through guided tours, with children's activities such as face painting and games provided.
Later in the day, there will be a special celebratory service, featuring a dedication ceremony, musical performances, and speeches, with dignitaries including Newport MPs, the Mayor, Senedd members, councillors, the Bishop of Monmouth, and representatives from the police, fire service, and local businesses in attendance.