St Edward's Church, Roath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Edward the Confessor |
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St Edwards in 2017
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| 51°29′46″N 3°09′36″W / 51.4960°N 3.1599°W | |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | Edward the Confessor |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Daughter church |
| Architect(s) | Willmott & Smith |
| Completed | 1915 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | none |
| Materials | brick |
| Bells | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Roath |
| Diocese | Diocese of Llandaff |
St Edward's Church is a special church located in Penylan, Cardiff, South Wales. It belongs to the Church in Wales. Think of it as a smaller, connected church to St Margaret's Church, Roath. It is the only one of its kind still open after another church, St Anne's, closed its doors in 2015.
Contents
The History of St Edward's Church
The First Church Building (1915)
St Edward's Church was first built in 1915. It was a "tin tabernacle," which means it was made from sheets of corrugated iron. Many churches like this were built quickly and cheaply back then.
This first church was a bit unusual because it faced west instead of east, which is the traditional direction for churches. It opened its doors in March 1915.
Sadly, on September 11, 1919, a fire almost completely destroyed the church. People believed an electrical problem caused the fire. Even though the building was ruined, many important items inside, like the communion cups and 240 chairs, survived. The damaged parts of the building were taken down later in 1919.
The Second Church Building (1919)
After the fire, the local church community decided to rebuild. They wanted the new church to be a special way to remember the soldiers who had died in the First World War.
The architects, Willmott and Smith, built the front part of the church, called the chancel, using brick and fancy sandstone. However, they ran out of money. So, the main part of the church, the nave, had to be built from galvanised iron sheets. This new church faced east, which was the usual way.
Over time, new things were added to the church. A new organ, a stand for reading (called a lectern), and special robes for the clergy were brought in. A large window was added later. In 1953, the pulpit (a raised stand for sermons) was added. It came from another church, All Souls Chapel, which had closed in 1952.
The 1968 Reconstruction
By the late 1960s, the iron part of the church (the nave) was getting old and worn out. In 1968, it was removed. The same architects who built the 1919 church replaced it with a new brick section. This new brick nave was a little shorter than the old iron one.
The 1992 Extension
In 1992, the church added a new brick section. This extension created a small entrance area, a restroom, and a schoolroom. Before this, the Sunday school classes were held in a smaller room called the vestry.
The Church Bell
After the church was rebuilt in 1919, a bell was put in place in 1922. This bell was very old, made in 1815. People thought it might have been made from a cannon used in the famous Battle of Waterloo!
In 2015, the bell was taken down for repairs to the chancel. However, it was in very bad condition, and the church could not afford to fix it. So, the old bell was put into storage. In 2016, a different, smaller bell was installed. This new bell was also quite old, dating back to 1816.
Church Activities
St Edward's Church has a long history of loving music. It even has its own orchestra, led by Alison Dite. Every October, the church holds a music festival. Besides music, the church also hosts art shows and drama performances, making it a lively place for the community.
Gallery
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Church from Roath Brook Gardens
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Interior, facing the chancel in 2018
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Stone laid after the 1919 rebuild, dated 4 June 1921
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Wall panels made from the dismantled St Anne's pulpit
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The 1992 extension
