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St Joseph's Church
St Joseph's Catholic Church, Cardiff (Geograph 1972973 by Jaggery).jpg
The west end of the church, as viewed from New Zealand Road.
51°30′3.73″N 3°11′21.38″W / 51.5010361°N 3.1892722°W / 51.5010361; -3.1892722
Location Gabalfa, Cardiff
Country Wales, United Kingdom
Language(s) English
Denomination Roman Catholic
Religious institute Rosminians
Website Website
History
Status Active
Dedication Saint Joseph
Relics held Blood of Antonio Rosmini
Architecture
Architect(s) F. R. Bates
Style Round-arched style
Years built 1934–1936
Groundbreaking 1934
Completed 28 October 1936
Construction cost £11,000
Specifications
Number of floors 2
Materials Red brick
Bells 0
Administration
Deanery Cardiff Deanery
Archdiocese Cardiff Archdiocese
Diocese Cardiff Archdiocese
Province Cardiff Province

St Joseph's Church is a Catholic church located in Cardiff, Wales. It's a special place of worship for people in the areas of Gabalfa, Cathays, and Maindy. A group called the Rosminians helps manage the church.

The Story of St Joseph's Church

How the Church Started

The Rosminians, a religious group, first came to Cardiff in 1854. They helped set up other churches like St Peter's Church and St Alban's Church.

The very first St Joseph's Church building was quite interesting. It was made from parts of an iron church that used to be at St Alban's. This first church opened on June 1, 1913, in an area called Gabalfa. Priests from St Peter's Church looked after it.

Becoming Its Own Parish

In 1921, St Joseph's became its own independent parish. This meant it had its own priests and served about 1,000 Catholic people. A special house for the priests, called a presbytery, was finished in 1927.

Building the Current Church

The church building you see today was built thanks to a generous gift of £11,000 in 1934. This money came from Thomas Callaghan, who donated it after his wife Edith passed away.

The church was designed by an architect named F. R. Bates. He created it with rounded arches and used red-brown brick. The new church officially opened its doors on October 28, 1936. It includes a special area for baptisms, a bell tower, a choir loft for singers, and a main area called a nave with aisles.

Changes Over Time

After the Second Vatican Council, which was a big meeting for the Catholic Church, the inside of St Joseph's Church was updated. Later, in the late 2000s, a church hall was added. This hall provides extra space for church activities and events.

Music at St Joseph's

The Church Organ

The church used to have a large organ built in 1947 by a company called Conacher and Co. This organ had six sets of pipes that made its sound.

Sadly, in 2008, the organ was damaged by water and could no longer be used. It was replaced with a new electric organ in the same year.

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