The name or dedication of the church.
This identifies the church type. Most churches are parish churches which means they serve a specific parish or area. Other types such as chapel, daughter and mission are mostly historic designations as many are now also parish churches. Please note that former churches are no longer used for worhsip and may be in private ownership.
A unique identification number given to every church.
The name of the diocese in which the church is located.
The name of the archdeaconry in which the church is located.
This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.
Please enter a number
There are 3 levels of listing: Grade I, II* & II. The majority of buildings which are of special interest are Grade II. A much smaller number of particularly important buildings are listed as Grade II*. Buildings of exceptional interest (approx 2% of the total number of listed buildings) are Grade I.
Ancient monuments and archaeological remains of national importance are protected by law. Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service is responsible for compiling a schedule (list) of these ancient monuments, some of which can be found in churches and churchyards. Examples can include churchyard crosses and the archaeological remains of previous churches or buildings on the site.
There are three National Parks in Wales: Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons. These protect 20 percent of the land in Wales, including precious landscapes, habitats, villages and heritage sites.
There are over 500 conservation areas in Wales. They are designated by local planning authorities for their special architectural and historic interest.
The Buildings at Risk register is managed by Cadw (the Welsh Government’s historic environment service) in order to identify the number and type of listed buildings at risk in Wales.
It is often extremely difficult to determine a precise date of construction for a church as many have been extensively altered over time. Church Heritage Cymru therefore shows a date range within which a church is believed to have been constructed. The dates are as follows: Early Medieval (pre 1066), Medieval (post 1066 to 1540), Post Medieval (1540 to 1837), Victorian/Pre WWI (1837 to 1914) and Modern (post 1914).
This is a very brief summary of the church's main features. More detailed nformation can be found in the other fields and pages (tabs) in this database.
Useful information is displayed here for people wishing to visit the church. This may include things like opening hours, catering & toilet facilities, parking, etc.
If the church has its own website the details will be displayed here.
Any further sources of information for the church will be listed here (eg. links to other historic databases).
This is the Ordnance Survey (OS) reference for the location of the church. Some locations will be approximate as this data is continuously being refined and updated.
This is the name of the Local Authoirity within which the church is located.
This describes how the church relates to its immediate and wider environment, sometimes called its setting. It describes how the church contributes to its landscape or townscape and how these things collectively contribute to the character of the area.
Aberdare sits on the A4069 37km north west of Cardiff via the A470. The church sits on the western edge of the town centre.
Reference AA Route Planner OS Map 170 Historic Wales Listing notice 10848
This is a description of the ground plan of the church.
If known, the dimensions (measurements) of the church ground plan will be displayed here.
If the footrprint (area) of the church is known, it will be displayed here.
A description of the history and archaeology of the church and its site.
This is a medieval church founded in 1189 – a chapelry of Llantrisant. By 1857 by was almost in ruins, the incumbent Revd John Griffith had described the chancel in 1847 ‘as a damp and dingy place’. It was repaired at a cost of £26 but by 1859 the building was again almost in ruins. It was suggested that it should be knocked down and a completely new church should be erected for the Welsh speakers but (wisely) this did not happen. Sadly by 1871 the church was in such decay that even weddings and funerals could not be held. In 1876 restoration had occurred, the then vicar Revd J D Jenkins and raised £900 and the principal benefactor had contributed £300. Nave windows were replaced, the chancel enlarged, an entirely new roof was provided and the high-backed pews replaced by open benches thus increasing the church seating to 200 persons. The ever-increasing population of Aberdare during Victorian times had resulted in much new church building in within the parish, St Elvan’s was built in 1852, St Fagan’s in 1854 and St Mary’s 1864. In 1915 repairs were carried out by George E Halliday, the vestry as rebuilt and reroofed and a new heating system installed all at the cost of £500.
Reference
Buildings of Wales – Glamorgan 2001 Historic Wales Listing notice 10848 Church Building and Restoration in Victorian Glamorgan Geoffrey R Orrin 2004
A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.
The church was built in rubble Pennant sandstone with few dressings beneath a stone tile roof with a crucifix finial to the eastern gable. The 5-bay nave is truncated with a western bellcote, the chancel is lower than the nave. The south doorway with a pointed continuous triple roll is dateable to c1300.
Reference Buildings of Wales – Glamorgan 2001 Historic Wales Listing notice 10848 Church Building and Restoration in Victorian Glamorgan Geoffrey R Orrin 2004
Information about any noteable architects, artists, people, or events associated with the church.
Information about any important features and building fabric.
If known, a list of the church's major building material/s will be displayed here.
Any renewable energy systems the church is using will be listed here.
This section gives a general description of the interior of the church. Further details of any important internal fixtures and fittings will be listed below.
The interior has been rendered and has arched and diagonally boarded ceilings with ribs springing from semi-octagonal stone corbels with a crenelated cornice. The pointed chancel arch leads to steps up into the sanctuary which has iron gates. The medieval octagonal font has a roll at the top and bottom. The south doorway (see above) in characteristic of West Country work. The stained glass in the west window is signed by John Petts, c1984. There are two bells, one cast in 1637 with the initials IP and the second bell lacks provenance. .
Buildings of Wales – Glamorgan 2001 Historic Wales Listing notice 10848 Church Building and Restoration in Victorian Glamorgan Geoffrey R Orrin 2004 A National Bell Register - George Dawson's Website - Homestead
Information about the church's important internal fixtures and fittings.
Information about the church's important moveable items and artworks.
A description of the ecology of the churchyard.
Information about the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.
Records whether the church has been consecrated.
Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.
Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.
Records whether there are any war graves in the churchyard.
Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.
Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship of the church to its surrounding area and helps place it within its wider landscape context.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the significance of the historic building fabric of the church.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the historic significance of the interior of the church.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship between the church and its community.