Tag: St Matthias Church (Treharris)

Merthyr’s Lost Landmarks: St Cynon’s Church, Quaker’s Yard

Today marks the 160th anniversary of the opening of St Cynon’s Church in Quaker’s Yard. Unfortunately, it is yet another Merthyr landmark that has disappeared into the ether.

Photo courtesy of www.treharrisdistrict.co.uk

With the growth of the iron industry in Merthyr, the population ‘down the valley’ also increased due to subsequent developments associated with the industry. Foremost amongst these was the development of the Glamorganshire Canal which passed near to Quakers’ Yard. The small church at Llanfabon soon became too small to accommodate the burgeoning congregation, so it was decided, with the backing of Thomas Shepherd Esq., the General Manager of the Glamorganshire Canal to build a new church.

The site for the new church, on a commanding position overlooking the River Taff (now Fiddler’s Elbow), was given by Baroness Windsor, the landowner, and the foundation stones were laid on 18 July 1861. The new building, which measured 73ft by 22ft, was designed by Messrs Pritchard and Suddon, architects, of Llandaff, and the contractor assigned to carry out the work was Mr Richard Mathias. The Gothic style church was built of local Blue Pennant sandstone from the Park and Pandy Quarry in Trelewis, with Bath stone dressing, and comprised of a chancel, nave, south porch and belfry. There was also a small vestry at the north side of the east end. The church could seat 200 people, and in total cost £4,820, which included stained glass windows and an American organ. It was officially opened on 10 July 1862, and was consecrated the following year.

Photo courtesy of www.treharrisdistrict.co.uk

Above the main entrance to the church was a sculpture depicting Jesus as the Good Shepherd, with the inscription ‘I give unto them eternal life’ (right). Local legend says that the sculpture was the work of a tramp who was passing through the area.

In 1876, enough funds had been raised to build a school. It was used as both a Sunday School and as a National School to educate the children of the area. The school continued to operate until 1949, and at the time of its closure was the last Church School in the Borough.

St Cynon’s Church and School. Photo courtesy of the Alan George Archive

In its heyday, St Cynon’s boasted its own brass band and football club, but as the congregation dwindled, the church was forced to close on 9 March 1986. Over the next few years the church fell into disrepair and was vandalised on several occasion, and in late 1989 the Church authorities decided to demolish the building. When the church was demolished, the sculpture of ‘Good Shepherd’ was saved and is now in the porch at St Matthias Church in Treharris.

How well do you know Merthyr? The answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posed you last week. How did you do?

  1. What was the name of St Tydfil’s father?

King Brychan Brycheiniog

  1. Who founded the Cyfarthfa Ironworks in 1765?

Anthony Bacon

  1. Who was Merthyr’s first Labour M.P.?

James Keir Hardie

  1. What was the name of the first chapel to be built in Merthyr town?

Ynysgau Chapel

  1. What was the name of the pub that Lord Nelson stayed in when he visited Merthyr in 1800?

The Star Inn in Caedraw

  1. Nixonville in Merthyr Vale is named after whom?

John Nixon, the founder of Merthyr Vale Colliery

  1. Who has ‘God Forgive Me’ inscribed on his grave?

Robert Thompson Crawshay

  1. Where was the Olympia Skating Rink?

In Pontmorlais, just further up than the Theatre Royal

  1. Which Merthyr-born boxer won the WBC World featherweight title in 1968?

Howard Winstone

  1. Where would you find St Matthias Church?

Treharris

  1. The Bwthyn Bach Inn is missing from the Old Merthyr Tydfil list of pubs, where was it situated?

At the corner of what was known as the Broad Pavement, opposite was the name given to a street built behind the Palace Cinema.

  1. Where was Tai Harri Blawd?

Behind the Theatre Royal and bordering the old Tramroad

  1. What is the area known as Daniel’s Waterloo?

The area now known as the Grove

  1. Where was the Merthyr Tydfil clay pipe factory?

In Vaughan Street, Caedraw

  1. What did the factory next to Factory Cottages make?

Factory Cottages were alongside the old Drill Hall and given this name as they adjoined a flannel factory.

  1. How did Storey Arms get its name?

The first landlord there was a Mr Storey

  1. Where was Pendwranfach?

A narrow street by the Fountain …… turn left at the bottom of the High Street

  1. What is the real name of the pub often called The Spite?

The Farmer’s Arms, Mountain Hare

  1. Who was Miss Florence Smithson and what building is she associated with?

A famous actress associated with the Theatre Royal

  1. Why was an area by St Tydfil’s Church named Lle Sais?

Its name is derived from the fact that most of the English people brought in to the area to work in the Penydarren Ironworks lived here

A New Church in Treharris

The article transcribed below appeared in the Western Mail 125 years ago today (30 July 1895).

NEW CHURCH AT TREHARRIS

LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE

On Monday afternoon, in brilliant weather and in the presence of a large concourse of people, the foundation-stone of a new church – to be called St Matthias – in Cardiff Road, Treharris, was laid by Mr. Frederick Harris, of Collingham Gardens, London.

Until the introduction of the Rev. Daniel Lewis into the Rectory of Merthyr, Treharris, constitutes part of the parish of Merthyr, was unprovided with Church ministrations, but immediately the rector was appointed services were instituted in the schoolroom and the district furnished with a resident clergyman, the priest at present officiating being the Rev. R. David.

The new church, which will provide accommodation for 365 worshippers, will cost about £3000.  It is to built of native stone with Bath stone dressings in the simple Gothic style.  Mr J. L Pearson, the eminent architect, of London, has prepared the designs, and the contractors are Messrs. William Cowlin and Son, of Bristol.  The duties of clerk of the works are being discharged by Mr. H. Cana.  There will be a nave, a north aisle, a chancel, an organ chamber, and two vestries, with an ornamental bell turret at the western end.

The site upon which the church will stand has been gratuitously given by Colonel Lockwood, who has also subscribed a very handsome sum towards the building fund.  Among the clergy present at the interesting function of the stone-laying were:- The Rector of Merthyr; the Rev. G. A. Jones, St. Mary’s Cardiff; the Rev. Lewis Jones, Cadoxton-juxta-Neath; the Rev. W. G. Kirkham, Blackwood; the Rev. J Lewis, Troedyrhiw; the Rev. D. Leigh, rector; the Rev. W. Jones and the Rev. D. E. Jacobs, Llanfabon; the Rev. T. Jesse Jones, rector of Gelligaer; the Rev. J. R. Jones, Trelewis; the Rev. G. Davies, Aberdare Junction, and the Rev R. David, Treharris.

In order to perform the task so kindly undertaken by her, Mrs. Harris was presented by the building committee with a silver trowel, the contractors presenting her also with a pearwood mallet and an oak level.

A short religious service was conducted in connection with the ceremony, which was closed with the singing of “The Church’s One Foundation,” followed by the Benediction.  In the course of the proceedings the Rector of Merthyr thanked Mrs. Harris for her kindness in laying the stone and for the goodness which she and the family had always exhibited in relation to the progress of Church work in the parish.

Mr. Harris, on behalf of his wife, acknowledged the compliment, and said it had been a great pleasure to Mrs. Harris and himself to have come down to take part in the work that day.  It would be a source of much gratification if they were able to come down to the consecration, and it would afford them considerable pleasure if the church were attended by a large congregation.

Photo courtesy of http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/index.htm

Many thanks to Tracy Barnard for transcribing this article.