St Saviour's Church, Splott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Saviour's Splott |
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| 51°29′02″N 3°09′05″W / 51.4838°N 3.1514°W | |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Website | https://churchofstsaviourcardiff.weebly.com/ https://www.saintgermanwithsaintsaviour.org/ |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1884 |
| Dedication | St. Saviour |
| Consecrated | 30 October 1888 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish Church |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 12 February 1952 |
| Architect(s) | G. F. Bodley and Thomas Garner |
| Groundbreaking | 28 January 1892 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of floors | 1 |
| Materials | Swelton stone, Bath stone |
| Bells | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Roath St Saviour |
| Deanery | Cardiff |
| Archdeaconry | Llandaff |
| Diocese | Diocese of Llandaff |
St Saviour's Church is a special building located in Splott, a part of Cardiff, South Wales. It's a church that belongs to the Church in Wales, which is a big Christian church in Wales. This church has a long and interesting history, playing an important role in its community for many years.
Building St Saviour's Church
In the late 1800s, Cardiff was growing very fast. Many small villages, like Splott (which was then called East Moors), became part of the bigger city. Because more people were moving in, many new churches were built.
From School Chapel to Church
- A school chapel, named after St Columba, was started in 1877.
- St Saviour's Church began in 1884 as a simple building known as a tin tabernacle. These were churches made quickly from corrugated iron.
- Both of these early buildings were replaced by the beautiful church we see today in 1888.
Who Designed the Church?
The church was designed by two famous architects, G. F. Bodley and Thomas Garner. They based their design on a much older church from the 1400s, St Mary's Church, Tenby. St Saviour's has a unique three-gable design, but unlike the Tenby church, it doesn't have a tall spire.
Becoming Its Own Parish
St Saviour's was first a "daughter church" of St German's. This means it was part of a larger church's area. But on January 30, 1893, St Saviour's got its own parish. A parish is like a special area that a church serves. In 1894, the south aisle, which is a side part of the church, was added. Like many churches in Cardiff, St Saviour's also has a special memorial to remember those who served in wars.
A Community Hub
Throughout the 1900s, St Saviour's Church was very important to public life in Splott. Its parish hall, a separate building, was used for many community events. During World War II, it even served as a dance hall, bringing people together during difficult times. In 1952, the church was given a special status as a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
St Saviour's in Recent Times
After World War II, many churches in Cardiff had to close. However, St Saviour's was lucky and managed to stay open.
Changes and Updates
- In 1961, the church had some restoration work done by George Pace. During this time, the nave (the main part of the church where people sit) was divided to create a hall.
- Even with these changes, the church still looks much like it did when it was first built in the Victorian era. Some of its beautiful stained glass windows were added in the 1960s.
- In 1985, the old church hall across the street was sold. A new hall and a new entrance area (called a vestibule) were built. These new parts were opened on May 15, 1987.
Looking After the Church
Churches sometimes face challenges. In 2011, some lead was taken from the roof of the church's porch, but it was found nearby. The community continues to look after this important building.
Gallery
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Inside St Saviour's, looking towards the chancel
