A Monmouth church's £250,000 refurbishment has been paid off.

St Mary's Catholic Church was redecorated in 2009 and parishioners have since been fundraising tirelessly to pay for the work.

The church, the oldest public, post Reformation Catholic church in Wales, was built in 1793, on condition that it should not look like a church, that there was no direct access to the street and that parishioners should only come and go one at a time.

When Father Nicholas James was appointed parish priest five years ago, it was evident the church was in need of extensive redecoration and that the general facilities were inadequate for parishioners' real requirements.

The priest's own house was also badly in need of attention. so much so that at that times he, like his predecessor, was obliged to live elsewhere in the town.

Within a few months of his arrival, Fr Nick appointed a development team to advise him on a multi-phased project to redecorate the church, build adequate parish facilities and to renovate the presbytery all to a proper standard with the approval of Monmouthshire County Council and the Historic Churches Commission.

Thanks to architect Tim Pitt-Lewis, particular care was taken to ensure that the new facilities were energy efficient and met the latest standards governing access for the elderly and people with disabilities.

It was also important to ensure the work enjoyed adequate archaeological oversight. The ladies of the parish played a prominent role with certain design features of the project and with furnishing the parish rooms and presbytery.

Monmouth School gave use of its chapel for nearly three months while the church was being redecorated and services were resumed at St Mary's Catholic church on the patronal feast day of the Assumption of Our Lady on 15th August 2009.

Fr Nick was eventually able to move to his newly renovated house next to the church just before Christmas in the same year.

While the entire project was successfully completed safely, on time and on cost, there was still the monumental task for some 150 parishioners of repaying a large loan of £240,000 plus interest arranged with the Archdiocese of Cardiff.

Deemed ineligible for funds from the National Lottery and CADW, an extensive fundraising campaign was launched led internally by the social and fundraising committee and externally by the finance committee of the parish.

With the help of local businesses and various national and local charities, including the Monmouth Charity, steady progress was made over the past five years.

To encourage external contributions an illustrated brochure was prepared and a short history of the parish was written by Robert Derricott OBE, while the Archbishop of Cardiff, the Most Reverend George Stack, agreed to be patron of the development appeal.

Most of the financial burden inevitably fell on parishioners. Thanks to their great commitment and collaboration in the form of monthly collections, pledges and legacies as well as multiple social events, the entire cost of the project amounting to over £250,000 was finally paid off earlier this month.

• The Archbishop of Cardiff will celebrate Mass with Fr Nicholas James in St Mary's Catholic church at 7pm tomorrow (2nd May).

In the best Catholic tradition there will be a little celebration afterwards.