St Martin's Church, Roath (Cardiff)

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The Parish was created on 20th May 1903, having previously been a part of the Parish of Roath.

During the 19th Century, the Port of Cardiff grew rapidly as coal from the mines in the South Wales valleys was exported across the world. The port and associated industries needed workers and Cardiff saw a huge inward migration of people from many different communities. Housing was built to accommodate these workers and new churches were built to meet their spiritual needs. The first church building on this site was opened in 1886 to accommodate the growing Anglican population in the Parish of Roath. It was a simple structure made of wood and iron but, being very much smaller in size than the present church, it couldn't accommodate the growing local community. The present building was begun in 1897 in a Gothic and richly decorated Victorian style and consecrated for worship on the 20 October 1901.

During February 1941, the church was bombed and very little of the original building survived intact although the Calvary did and this is preserved on the north wall at the entrance to the Holy Cross Chapel. The present St. Martin's church rose from the charred ruins in 1951 and this is the church that you see today. The new building saw the heavy decorated tracery of the earlier windows replaced with early-English type lancets, giving a more open effect, and clear glass replacing the dark green glass. The Chancel and High Altar area were also lowered considerably at the same time.

During the war years Services were held in the Vicarage, the Choir Vestry and for the most part at St. Cyprian’s the second church in the parish. On Saturday 17th December 1955 the present Church was re-dedicated and opened for worship.
The Parish was created on 20th May 1903, having previously been a part of the Parish of Roath.

Over recent decades, the development of the building has continued, with the inclusion of a great deal of devotional artwork by Frank Roper, representing different periods in his artistic life. The Lady Chapel Altar and statue of Our Lady and Child were additions to the church in the 1970s. The three Altars in the church are all of the same style, made of granite and vary only in their size. The Font which survived the bombing continued to be used and in recent years was re-built in it present position at centre of West of the Nave.

The Cloister on the North Front of the Church was built in 2010/11. It has given the North Front of the Church on Albany Road a new and welcoming appearance. It was blessed by Archbishop Barry Morgan on 10th April 2011 during the Solemn Mass and opened the same day by Mr Peter Harling.

It has a variety of uses. First, it welcomes and engages all who pass by. It serves as an entrance into the Church. We have invited local artists to use it as a 'gallery', the music students and the congregation have used it as a bar, coffee shop, a place of meeting and greeting.

At Saint Martin’s we continue to celebrate and teach the Christian Faith in the Catholic Tradition building on the foundations laid in 1886 when the first Church was opened on this site. Read more at: stmartininroath.webplus.net/Page%202.html

Saint Martins Vicarage
Strathnairn Street
Roath
Cardiff
CF24 3JL
Tel: 029 2048 2295(20)
Web: stmartininroath.webplus.net/

Father Irving Hamer, parish priest

Schedule
Sunday
First Evening Prayer of Sunday and Benediction Saturday: 6pm
Morning Prayer: 9.15am, sung in choir
Solemn Mass: 10am, Sunday school

Monday: 7pm
Tuesday: 6pm
Wednesday: 10am
Thursday: 9am
Saturday: 9.30am

Roath is one of the oldest suburbs of Cardiff and the Church of St Martin is situated on Albany Road.

The local community around the Church is vibrant, diverse in age, ethnicity and religious faith and culture.