Campaigners against a proposed overhaul of Tenby's St. Julian's Church have expressed their dismay this week at the way the current church sub-warden has been made to depart her role.

The 'Save St. Julian's' campaigners, who launched a petition against proposed plans to re-order what is known as the 'Little Church by the Sea', believe the changes will strip the place of worship of its 'atmosphere, peace, stillness and spirituality', which is what brings people to the church at Tenby harbour.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) in Tenby agreed back in 2012 to support a proposal to re-order St. Julians as a Youth Church, with plans being recently exhibited at St. Mary's Church, and a public meeting held at Church House last week, where campaigners against the changes were able to hand in a petition which has now garnered over 400 signatures.

St. Julian's sub-warden Kate Neill, who has made it clear that she is against the proposals, received a letter on Monday morning signed by Rector Canon Andrew Davies, informing her that she wouldn't be reappointed to her post.

"I personally am going to say this, Kate worked at St. Julian's for quite some time, took services, arranged weddings etc, and looked after that church as if it were her own," said spokesperson for the Save St Julian's campaign group, Sarah Williams.

"She spoke out against the plans, and then was promptly removed and the church locks were changed at 8 am Monday morning.

"It is my opinion that the Tenby clergy are against freedom of speech, and anything said against them is brushed off," she remarked.

Speaking of the public meeting last week, Sarah said that quite a few things were talked about, and she believed that more people present seemed to be against the proposals than for them.

"Canon Davies stated that St. Julians is 'dying', in fact he said 'it has been dying since Wynford Mabe was warden', which is untrue. Yes, the congregation is small, but maybe if the clergy got involved to take a service every Sunday, it wouldn't be. The last service taken by Rev. Robb Wainwright was December 19, 2013!" she continued.

"Rev. Wainwright, along with Canon Davies, are determined to succeed in these plans and turn St. Julians into a modern church. A lady commented when we left the meeting 'that little church doesn't need changing, the clergy does!' so we hope that the clergy has taken time to read the comments on the petition, and will consider these comments before putting the plans to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority," added Sarah.

Responding to the comments, Canon Davies told the Observer that with regard to St. Julian's being locked, last October an electrical inspection at the church had revealed major flaws and the system was condemned, with insurers insisting that the church should never be left open whilst unattended.

"Before I arrived in Tenby some six years ago, St. Julian's was always locked up for the winter months from October through to Easter, and it is very regrettable to me that we are not allowed to have St. Julian's open at the moment, until we have addressed the structural problems of the building," he said.

"With regard to the current sub-warden at St Julian's, I spoke with her on Wednesday and she is pleased to be relieved of this office, and so I will need to make a new appointment at the annual meeting this week.

"Church wardens cannot be 'sacked' or 'removed'. Every year, at the annual meeting, church wardens are, along with all other church officers, appointed for the coming year, and all sorts of officers are appointed or reappointed," added Canon Davies.