Table are set up outside the entrance to St Illtyd church to mark a celebration event. People are sitting down and milling around the tables. The church is in the background. Natasha Hirst

St Illtyd

St Illtyd’s is one of the oldest Catholic Churches in Wales, established in 1846 soon after Catholic Emancipation.

Dowlais, Mid Glamorgan

Opening times

Sorry, there are no published opening times for visitors, please contact the church.

Address

Balaclava Road
Dowlais
Mid Glamorgan
CF48 3BT

View map

51.761374, -3.3602632

How to get here

The church is easily accessible from the A465 Heads of the Valleys Trunk Road as well as from the A470 Trunk Road. It is also well served by local transport with the frequent No 35 bus stopping within easy walking distance of the church. 

The church features splendid examples of 19th and 20th century architecture and has notable listed stain glass windows and a huge painting by notable Welsh artist Kevin Sinott which was commissioned by parishioners to mark the 150th anniversary of the church. The church has many fine furnishings including an elaborate high altar and good stained glass. JJ Scholes Edmund Kirby FR Bates were prominent Catholic architects involved in the two phase design of the church. 

And, as part of their roofing project in 2024, St Illtyd did two great things: 

  1. Through working with Wales National Roofing Training Group and Brecon Cathedral, the re-roofing project helped to train to NQV Level 3 Heritage Roofing apprentices who saw first-hand the damage caused to a listed building by using inappropriate materials. This hands-on teaching has helped the next generation of roofers understand more clearly the risks and beauty of Wales’ beautiful heritage and how to preserve it.  
  2. Next to St Illtyd is a primary school. As the building needed to be completely reroofed, the church had the brilliant idea of getting the children to write messages on the new slate tiles that went on the roof. When the new roof reaches the end of its life in 100 years' time, the messages will be revealed.  

You can read more about the re-roofing project here.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Wildlife haven

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Car park at church

  • Dog friendly

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Wifi

  • The church is open for weekday Mass on Monday and Friday from 9.30 until noon, and for Sunday Mass at 9.30am every week. It is also open for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals all of which are arranged by appointment. The church produces a weekly Newsletter which is published on the website and updates Mass times and details funerals and weddings.

  • Bingo, Parish Social Evenings, Coffee Mornings, Phillipino Community festivities, Stroke Club.

  • Catholic Church

  • Last Chance Churches Campaign Grant, £200,000, 2024

  • Thanks to an anonymous donor, we were able to create a fund, enabling every donation that was given to the Last Chance Churches to go twice as far.

Contact information

01685 723336

Church website

Gallery

Table are set up outside the entrance to St Illtyd church to mark a celebration event. People are sitting down and milling around the tables. The church is in the background.
People are standing in the pews facing the magnificent altar inside St Illtyd church
A group of children waving to the camera
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A boy holding a slate with white text on it
A girl holding a slate with writing on it
A group of flowers in front of a scaffolded church
A group of people looking up at the ceiling inside a church
The outside of St Illtyd church with colourful flags and a banner saying 'welcome'.
The beautiful altar with stained glass to either side at St Illtyd
GlamorganshireDOWLAISStIlltyd(natashahirstPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)143
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GlamorganshireDOWLAISStIlltyd(natashahirstPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)169

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We do not own or manage any buildings

The information on this page is provided by the church and is correct when made live. Opening times and contact details may have changed, we recommend you check before making a special trip.

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