Historic churches to open doors to the public

TEN historic churches across South Wales will open their doors this June for the first-ever Churches Unlocked Heritage Festival.

Churches Unlocked is organised by the Diocese of Llandaff and will run over nine days from June 18-26.

The festival will celebrate the historical importance of churches to Welsh heritage and culture, and champion their role in the local communities as places of spiritual wellbeing and community engagement. The churches include St Thomas’, Neath; St Catwg’s, Cadoxton; and St Theodore’s, Port Talbot.

The 10 churches have been chosen for their historical importance and hidden history. They include churches in Cardiff, Neath, Port Talbot and the Vale of Glamorgan, and some are generally not open to visitors.

Visitors can also try their hand at bellringing, designing a stainedglass window, hiking in the countryside or taking part in eco-activities in one of the many green-haven churchyards.

At St Catwg’s in Cadoxton, Neath, true crime fans can discover the 19th-century “murder stone” and find out more about the unsolved murder of Margret Williams in 1822, while spy fans will enjoy the monument to a World War II spy-turned-monk. There is also an opportunity to enjoy traditional church hospitality of homemade tea and cakes.

Sarah Perons, churches development officer, said: “Over the past two years our churches have had to remain closed for much of the time. Our buildings are now open again and we want to encourage churches to take the opportunity to be open and welcoming to visitors.

“Churches are some of the most important historic buildings in Wales. They tell the stories not only of their local communities but also the narrative of the development of art and architecture in a Welsh context.

“You don’t need to attend church to have an interest in its local history and architecture. You can appreciate the building as an important and beautiful historical landmark.”

Christopher Catling, chair of the Welsh Historic Places of Worship Forum, said: “I hope this festival will encourage many more churches to open their doors in future to welcome visitors and share the qualities that make them such special places.”

The 10 churches are: Llandaff Cathedral; St Thomas’, Neath; St Catwg’s, Cadoxton; St Mary the Virgin, Cardiff; St Cynwyd’s, Llangynwyd; St Michael’s, Beddau; St Andrew’s, St Andrew’s Major; St John the Baptist, Troedyrhiw, Merthyr; St Michael and All Angels’, Llanmihangel, Cowbridge; St Theodore’s, Port Talbot.