Church Heritage Record

Church Heritage Record 3855

  • Home
  • Churches
  • Help
  • Contact
  • About
Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentAudit

St Martin, Caerphilly

Name:

The name or dedication of the church.

St Martin, Caerphilly
Record Type:

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.

Parish Church
Church code:

A unique identification number given to every church.

3855
Diocese:

The name of the diocese in which the church is located.

Llandaff
Archdeaconry:

The name of the archdeaconry in which the church is located.

Llandaff
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Please enter a number

Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

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.

This is a Grade II Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?

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 is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

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. 

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

There are over 500 conservation areas in Wales. They are designated by local planning authorities for their special architectural and historic interest.

The church is not in a Conservation Area

Please enter a number

Buildings At Risk Status

On Buildings At Risk Register?

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. 

This church is not on the Buildings at Risk Register
 **************

Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

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).

Victorian/Pre-WWI

Exterior Image

Work in progress - can you help?

Summary Description

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.

Caerphilly is best known as the site of the largest of the Gilbert de Clare family castles, construction started on 11 April 1268 consolidating the de Clare position north of Caerphilly Mountain. A small town grew close to the castle much of which was demolished by the fourth marquess of Bute in order to open up the views of the castle. Reference The Encyclopaedia of Wales Welsh Stone Forum National Museum of Wales Number Buildings of Wales – Glamorgan 2001

Visiting and Facilities

Useful information is displayed here for people wishing to visit the church. This may include things like opening hours, catering & toilet facilities, parking, etc. 

The church is open for worship.
Work in progress - can you help?
 **************

Church Website

Church Website:

If the church has its own website the details will be displayed here.

http://www.parishofcaerphilly.org.uk/StMartins.aspx

Sources and Further Information

Any further sources of information for the church will be listed here (eg. links to other historic databases).

View information on worship and access at this church on the Church In Wales web site
RCAHMW (2004) Coflein http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/420954/details/ [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/
GGAT (2016) Historic Environment Record http://www.cofiadurcahcymru.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?prn=GGAT00700m [Digital Archive/Data]
http://www.ggat.org.uk/her/her.html
Amanda Needham, Volute architects (30/11/20) Practical completion certificate [Digital Archive/Document]
Practical completion certificate
amanda needham (16/2/22) practical completion [Digital Archive/Document]
practical completion
Amanda Needham (16/2/22) vertificate of making good [Digital Archive/Document]
vertificate of making good

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.

Grid Reference: ST 155 865

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Church address

Address
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
St Martin St Martin's Road CAERPHILLY CF83 1EJ

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

This is the name of the Local Authoirity within which the church is located.

Caerffili - Caerphilly

Location and Setting

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.

Caerphilly is 13.5 km north of Cardiff via the A469, the church is at the junction of Mountain Road and St Martin’s Road to the south of the railway station.

Reference
AA Route Planner 
OS Map 171
Historic Wales Listing notice 21383

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

This is a description of the ground plan of the church.

Work in progress - can you help?

Dimensions

If known, the dimensions (measurements) of the church ground plan will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

If the footrprint (area) of the church is known, it will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Description of Archaeology and History

A description of the history and archaeology of the church and its site.

A medieval chapel stood to the west of the present church part of Eglwysilan parish until 1850 when the parish of Caerphilly came into being.  A new church had been built in 1821 by Edward Haycock of Shrewsbury but by the 1860s the church was too small for the numbers wishing to worship and it was in a dilapidated condition. A design for a new church was produced in 1870 by Charles Buckeridge and after his death in 1873 the construction between 1877 and 1879 was taken over by John Loughborough Pearson, the contractor was Messrs Wall & Hook of Brimstone in Gloucestershire and the cost was £5500, the consecration took place on 17 December 1879. In 1904/5 the nave was lengthened by 2-bays and in 1907-10 a tower was built.  Both sets of works be supervised by George E Halliday, the lengthening cost £3300 and the tower cost £1500, the contractor being Messrs E Turner & Sons of Cardiff.  In 1938 the south aisle was widened at a cost of £2,000.

Reference
Buildings of Wales – Glamorgan 2001
Historic Wales Listing notice 21383
Church Building and Restoration in Victorian Glamorgan Geoffrey R Orrin 2004

Exterior Description

A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.

The large church was mostly built in the Early English style of nave with a lower chancel, a north west tower, a gabled south aisle, a north aisle and a north porch, the chancel has transepts containing a chapel and a vestry.    It was built with Pwllypant Pennant sandstone (grey-green in colour) with Bathstone dressings all under tiled roofs.  As the ground falls from east to west the chancel has considerable external height. The massive tower is more ornate than the rest of the church with a stair turret to the northeast which is octagonal to the top stage, it has set-back buttresses and a clock on the north and west faces, there is a corbel table beneath the parapet.  A tablet on the north side of the tower records that it was built by parishioners following a visit by Edward V11 and Queen Alexandra in 1907.

Reference
Buildings of Wales – Glamorgan 2001
Historic Wales Listing notice 21383
Church Building and Restoration in Victorian Glamorgan Geoffrey R Orrin 2004

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Information about any noteable architects, artists, people, or events associated with the church.

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Fabric and Features

Information about any important features and building fabric.

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Materials

If known, a list of the church's major building material/s will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Interior Image

Work in progress - can you help?

Interior Description

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 nave has arcades of 5-bays with round piers on square bases and pointed arches of 2 orders of chamfering, the tower is accessible for from the west arch of the north bay.  The tall chancel arch is in a similar style on responds consisting of 3 orders of shafts with ringed capitals and bases.  The nave has an arch braced roof with the principals standing on wall shafts. while the roof of the chancel is barrel shaped of three bays. The reredos is in pink Penarth alabaster containing 3 ornate statue niches with ogee heads, there are black marble shafts between the niches which contain marble statues among which are Christ and St Martin, it was designed in 1902 by G E Halliday.  The octagonal font is medieval brought from the previous Church(es), the bowl is keeled down to a C20 square base.  The Lady Chapel fittings of 1968/9 are by George Pace and include the organ in the south east corner of the nave.  The pulpit is wood fronted on a marble base with blind arches and foliate decorations.  The stained glass: ‘The Crucifixion with Scenes form the Passion of Christ’, John Hardman & Co, 1879; ‘St Francis’, Frank Roper.  The full ring of six bells was given in 1907 although they were not cast until 1911 by John Taylor & Co.

Reference
Buildings of Wales – Glamorgan 2001
Historic Wales Listing notice 21383
Stained Glass in Wales   
Church Building and Restoration in Victorian Glamorgan Geoffrey R Orrin 2004
A National Bell Register - George Dawson's Website - Homestead

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

Information about the church's important internal fixtures and fittings. 

Work in progress - can you help?

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

Information about the church's important moveable items and artworks.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecology

A description of the ecology of the churchyard.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

Information about the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

Work in progress - can you help?

Burial and War Grave Information

Records whether the church has been consecrated.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.

It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.

It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there are any war graves in the churchyard.

The churchyard has war graves.

National Heritage Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Parish Church

Churchyard Structures

Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
Setting Significance Description:

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.

Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Description:

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.

Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Description:

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.

Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Description:

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. 

Work in progress - can you help?

Church Renewables

Any renewable energy systems the church is using will be listed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Parish Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

"Seek Advice" Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Parish Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Parish Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Parish Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Parish Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Parish Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Martyn JonesAdded QI inspectionMon 04 Dec 2023 16:49:04
Martyn JonesCreated asset source linkMon 04 Dec 2023 16:49:03
Martyn JonesDeleted QI inspectionMon 04 Dec 2023 16:48:43
Martyn JonesAdded QI inspectionTue 28 Nov 2023 08:55:14
Martyn JonesCreated asset source linkTue 28 Nov 2023 08:55:14
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionMon 28 Feb 2022 11:14:59
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionMon 28 Feb 2022 11:14:28
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionMon 28 Feb 2022 11:14:03
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionMon 28 Feb 2022 11:13:34
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionMon 28 Feb 2022 11:12:56
First Previous Next Last 
Page 1 of 3 (24 items)
Page size:
Site Map  | Privacy | T & C | © 2014 - 2025 Church in Wales  | Website by exeGesIS SDM | Rev. 2.2.9173.19815
  • Home
  • Login
  • Register