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A Christian-led charity which was served an eviction notice from the Church in Wales (CiW) has 12 months to find a new permanent home.

The Parish Trust, based in Trethomas, was founded in 2019 by the Rev Dean Roberts, Rector of the Parish of Bedwas, and a Board of Trustees which was made up of representatives of the local parishes as a response to community need.

The charity based itself in St Thomas’ Church, one of six churches he was responsible for.

However, over the past four months, the trust has been “reluctantly” searching for a new base, after an eviction notice was handed to the charity by the CiW when they refused to sign a new tenancy agreement.

For now, a new temporary lease has been agreed for the next 12 months after “extensive” negotiations.

In a statement on Friday February 11, the trust said: “Despite hopes for a freehold purchase of the building, the trust has been granted a short-term lease, which gives some breathing space to allow for continuity in its operations, as the charity actively seeks a permanent home elsewhere. 

“The Parish Trust acknowledges the cooperation of all parties involved in the negotiation process. While the outcome was not as the charity had hoped, it remains committed to securing the purchase of a suitable property in the area.

“With the lease in place, The Parish Trust can now focus its efforts on running its operations which consist of 14 regular projects ranging from poverty alleviation to youth and children’s work.”

St Thomas’ Church was used during the pandemic, with the full knowledge and blessing of the CiW and local Bishop, as it was a modern building with good accessibility.

The Parish of Bedwas, which had two church buildings, were not in a financial position to look after both. Attendance at St Thomas’ had declined, as had finance. Since 2020, The Parish Trust has invested more than £50,000 into the church, including a new boiler, a new kitchen and environmentally-friendly lighting.

The trust has previously accused the CiW of ignoring emails, using delaying tactics and employing a solicitor to pressure its trustees into signing a variety of “unfavourable” tenancy agreements.

They said one of these agreements included a £12,000 yearly rent and a ban on religious activity in the church, which the trust says goes against its core values.

CEO of the trust, Rev Dean Roberts, said: “On behalf of everyone here at The Parish Trust, we wish to thank all those who have expressed their concern for us over the last months after hearing about the fragile situation we are in.

“We are absolutely determined to continue supporting the people of Caerphilly County Borough in the years to come, and will now look for a building that offers us a secure base, opportunities to grow, and the ability to continue to serve the people who we have grown to love and value since our founding in 2019.

“We are sure that the best is yet to come for The Parish Trust, and we look forward in anticipation as to where we will be led in this new chapter for the charity.”

A Church in Wales spokesperson said: “The Church in Wales supports the work of the Parish Trust and has extended its lease at St Thomas’ Church for another year in order to give the trustees more time to find a permanent base.

“After that, the Mountain and Marsh Ministry Area Council wants to reopen the Church and transform it into a vibrant place of worship for the whole community.”