A FORMER Catholic church built on a former prisoner of war camp could provide nine new homes if planners give the go ahead.

Worshipers said farewell to Sacred Heart Church in Grahamstown Road, Sedbury, with a final Mass in September 2018, after a shortage of priests in the Forest saw its closure 31 years after its first service.

Now church authorities have applied to convert the building into six flats and build a terrace of three three-bedroom homes in the grounds.

The origins of the church just across the River Wye from Chepstow go back to 1939 when what was affectionately known as the “hut” became the first permanent Catholic Mass centre in the area.

During the Second World War, the site next to the hut became a camp for prisoners of war, having fulfilled the same role in the First World War.

The Christus figure which stood on the cross in the porch of the church was carved by Italian prisoners using pen knives.

With a growing Catholic community and the building deteriorating, parish priest Fr Liam Fanning launched an appeal for a more permanent church in 1976.

It finally opened in 1988 after the adjoining former PoW site had been bought and the church was consecrated by Bishop Alexander of Clifton.

Pastoral council chair Pip Deave said at the time of the church closure 15 months ago: “For the past 30 years the church has been a much loved centre of Catholic worship, but like everything else, much has changed.

“With the retirement of Fr Fanning, at the age of 90, and of Fr Halpen from Lydney and Cinderford, at the same time, the Forest has now only one priest, Fr Barnabas Page, to cover four Mass centres.

“To add to his work, the parish of Newent with Blaisdon after the retirement of Fr Aidan Murray is now also the responsibility of Fr Barnabas.

“It has become impossible for one priest to cover all these Mass centres, and so Bishop Declan of Clifton decided that the Sacred Heart Church in Sedbury should be closed.”

A report to Forest Council planners on behalf of the homes plan says: “The proposal will involve the erection of three new terrace houses, each to have two parking spaces with electric car charge points provided, as well as the renovation of the church to create six new flats.”

It adds: “With ample worship facility available within the local area, it is unlikely that it would find use as a church again and therefore provision of housing is an appropriate option for the site.”

The final Mass in 2018 was a celebration of all the people who have worked for and loved the church, including those parishioners who had passed on.

The congregation has since moved to attend Mass at St Mary’s RC church in Chepstow just five minutes away and in Lydney and Coleford.