A rock DJ and priest is hosting a music gig in a church in Llay, near Wrexham.

Fr George Bearwood

Fr George Bearwood, who is also known as Papa G on his Total Rock Radio show, is bringing bands, musicians and comedians together for Church of Noise at St Matin of Tours Church in Llay on Friday 22 July at 6pm.

The free event will feature artists from across the UK, including Stoke on Trent band, Peter 118, London Grime artist Feed’em, Country/Folk rock artist Paul Rushton and Aaron V Graham from Northern Ireland. Comedian Paul Savage will co-host the event which is being sponsored by the mental health charity State of Mind.

Before being ordained in 2020, George had a career in the music, radio, TV and film industries. He now presents a show on Total Rock Radio called Church of Noise, which is the only Christian Rock programme on the station. George said: “I’ve been planning an event like this since I first moved to

Llay in 2019 but Covid got in the way. The idea is to bring people together to enjoy the music, have a good time and raise awareness of mental health.

The Grime artist, Feed ’em

“The artists are all well known on the Christian music scene and will offer a broad mix of musical styles to entertain and engage. It’s aimed at young people and we’re asking that anyone under 16 brings an adult with them. There’ll be refreshments and merchandise available on the night.

“St Martin’s is the perfect venue for this sort of event. All the chairs can be removed, there’s a raised area by the altar which will become the stage and there’s plenty of parking. A full sound and lighting system will be installed for the night.

Comedian Paul Savage

“Church of Noise will be recorded and then played as a series of live sessions on my radio show over the next few months.”

Church of Noise in Llay is open to anyone from 6pm on Friday 22 July. It is being run by D3, an outreach project started by George when he was living in England. The first D3 event attracted 25 people but before long 400+ people were regularly attending.

Aaron V Graham

This event will be one of George’s last in Llay as he has just been appointed as a Priest-in-Charge in the Borderlands Mission Area, looking after the communities of Bistre, Buckley and Mynydd Isa.  George added: ‘I’m very much looking forward to this exciting and challenging next step in my journey and hope to engage with the communities of the area with a forward thinking, inclusive, and diverse heart’.

St Martin of Tours Church is at 20 Seventh Avenue, Llay (LL12 0SB) and is part of the Alyn Mission Area, one of the 19 Mission Areas of the Diocese of St Asaph in the Church in Wales.