St Andrews United Reformed Church, Roath

St. Andrew's, Roath
St. Andrew's United Reformed Church
St. Andrew's, Roath
51°29′46″N 3°09′52″W / 51.4960°N 3.1645°W / 51.4960; -3.1645Coordinates: 51°29′46″N 3°09′52″W / 51.4960°N 3.1645°W / 51.4960; -3.1645
Denomination United Reformed Church
Previous denomination Presbyterian
Weekly attendance 50
Website Church Website
History
Status Active
Founded 1897[1]
Dedication St Andrew
Architecture
Heritage designation Grade II*
Designated 19th May 1975
Architect(s) Habershon & Fawckner
Style Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking 1899
Completed 1900
Construction cost £11,000
Specifications
Capacity 840
Number of spires 1
Spire height 46 metres (150 ft)
Materials Stone

St. Andrew's United Reformed Church is a United Reformed church located in Roath, Cardiff, Wales.

History

In the late 19th Century, the population of Cardiff was enlarging. The Presbyterian church in Cardiff city centre (now the City United Reformed Church) was already full, and plans were put forward for an additional facility in a more suburban location.

In 1895, a site was identified in Wellfield Road (which was then a country lane surrounded by fields), where a chapel was built, coming into use in 1897. Today this is now the church hall. The large numbers drawn to the new place of worship caused plans to be put forward just two years later for the building of a much larger building, which is now the main church building. Much of the money needed to build the church was raised with relative ease, and it opened on 20 June 1900.[2] The church was then called the Roath Park English Presbyterian Church.[3] The main doorway is modeled on the one at Tintern Abbey, and the large west window on one in Melrose Abbey. The congregation was originally mostly Scottish, and the boy scout group wore kilts. The church's attendance peaked in the years before the First World War. During the conflict, the church lost many members of its congregation and its scout group. After 1918, the attendance fell to around 200, which was maintained until the post-war years. The church suffered no damage during the Second World War (even though a bomb fell on Angus Street, just a few streets away), and the church canteen served over 100 people a day. It is recorded that the church's collection plate was pawned to help towards this.[4]

In the post-war years, the church's pattern of worship altered. Weekly evening services ceased, and the church no longer has a choir, though retains a small Sunday school. It became St. Andrew's United Reformed Church in 1972, when the Presbyterian church amalgamated with the Congregationalists. The church has been Grade II* listed since 1975.[5] The dwindling attendance figures observed by the church have been expected with changing religious attitudes. The majority of the congregation that still attend are mostly older people, although some families attend for usual Sunday services.

The church's current minister is Rev'd Des Kitto.

Church Buildings

What is now the church hall used to be the original chapel (built in 1897) and the larger church was built in 1900. The main church building has a size III/35 Harrison & Harrison Organ; installed in 1900.[6] The main church can seat 500 on the main floor and an additional 200 on the balcony above, accessible from the narthex (main entrance lobby). The church was extensively rewired in 2012 and in recent years has had new heating systems installed. The church hall is used as a canteen, activity and meeting space for other organisations and a crèche during Sunday services and throughout the week. The hall has a balcony too, although it can only seat about 50. Off the hall are many side-rooms, such as the "South Room" which is used for prayer and reflection.

References

  1. ↑ "About Us - St Andrew's URC Church, Cardiff". Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  2. ↑ Childs, J. Roath, Splott and Adamsdown. 2010. History Press. p.57
  3. ↑ "Coflein". Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  4. ↑ Rose, J. Cardiff Churches through Time. 2013. Amberley. p.75
  5. ↑ "britishlistedbuildings". Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "Harrison & Harrison Organs - Catalogue" (PDF). Retrieved 8 September 2018. (p.7)
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