GlamorganABERDAREStElvan(nocreditPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)1

St Elvan

A church of contrasts with white washed walls in the nave, beautifully painted floral ceilings in Arts & Crafts style fill the side chapels and 16 stained glass windows.

Aberdare, Glamorgan

Opening times

The church is open from 10am til 4pm Monday to Saturday.

Address

Church Street
Aberdare
Glamorgan
CR44 7AB

Once visitors step inside St Elvan there is always an exclamation of surprise as they take in the impressive height and breadth. The church truly earns its nickname of the ‘Cathedral of the Valleys.’

Situated in the centre of the town of Aberdare it’s 180ft spire can be seen for miles around. St Elvan's interior white washed walls are the backdrop for impressive stained glass windows, the largest of which tells the story of St Elvan (the Celtic monk to whom we owe our unique dedication) and hints at Aberdare’s monastic past and the pilgrim trail to Penrys.

Hidden away in the Lady chapel is the lancet window that commemorates the church's founder. It depicts St Stephen the Martyr who was stoned to death, an ironic reminder of a challenging man who was as outspoken and contentious as he was benevolent. His contribution to the famous ‘Blue Books’ is still spoken of today.

The design of the Lady Chapel reflects the ideals of the Arts & Crafts movement and High Anglican worship. The walls and furniture overflow with symbols of lilies and foliage on blue green painted backgrounds. Completing the extravagance of decoration is a brightly coloured ‘Crucifixion’ window given by railway workers.

The church was extended in 1911 at the height of the coal production and expansion of the mines. It's benefactors comprised wealthy mineral owners and influential men of the age such as the 2nd Archbishop of Wales, Lord Merthyr of Sengynedd and Canon John Jenkins whose work with the railway men and owners led towards the foundation of the Labour Party. Many of the stories of St Elvan church intertwine with the iron and coal masters who together with Lord Merthyr developed Aberdare valley's mineral resources, parklands and churches. His family is included on eight of the windows. 

St Elvan has many fine examples of woodcarving. The finest is situated on the north wall of St Michael chapel. This War Memorial, design by FC Eden, is adorned with five statues and lists the names and regiments of 224 men of the parish who fought in the First World War. Research into the fate of the soldiers is left in the chapel for visitors, their stories were recorded in the book The Men Who Marched Away.

This stunning interior was sensitively altered in 2021 with the addition of a cafe ,spiral staircase to exhibitions on the mezzanine and heritage information which connects the needs of families and lovers of church architecture and furnishings.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Famous connections

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Magnificent memorials

  • National heritage here

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Café in church

  • Car park at church

  • Dog friendly

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Parking within 250m

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • Train station within 250m

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Wifi

  • Permanent heritage exhibition; which includes the story of the church and industrial heritage of the town.

  • Exhibition area on the mezzanine (accessible by lift) showing Welsh Artists. (see website for information).

  • WAM Night, Words, Art, Music; third Thursday every month.

  • Children's activities throughout school holidays.

  • Stained glass tour last Friday in the month or by arrangement.

  • The Unity Project Community Garden is open on Thursdays from 12noon to 4pm behind the church, volunteers welcome.

  • Church in Wales

  • Repair Grant, £40,000, 2017

  • Our Repair Grants funded urgent repair work to help keep churches open.

Contact information

Other nearby churches

Bryn Sion

Trecynon, Mid Glamorgan

A Grade II Listed Non-Conformist Chapel with a remarkable ornate inter-war plaster ceiling and pulpit reredos, with a sense of family mission to the community, true to its roots.

St Fagan

Trecynon, Glamorgan

A delightful church, something of a surprise nestled on a side street in a quiet suburb of a south Wales valleys town, it was built in 1854 in the Gothic style and tells the story of this area, the coal boom on the 19th century which brought workers from all over Wales and a community spirit that is as strong as ever.

St Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan

Some buildings seem to be ageless, one is the church of St Tydfil.