St Martin's Church

St Martin's Church is an Anglican church on Albany Road in the Roath district of Cardiff, Wales. Designed by architect F. R. Kempson, this Neo-Gothic building dates from the turn of the 20th century and belongs to the Church in Wales (Diocese of Llandaff). Its story includes a dramatic chapter: it was gutted by fire in the Second World War and later rebuilt.

How did St Martin's in Roath begin?

Cardiff grew rapidly in the 19th century, driven by the coal export boom. Thousands of workers moved to the city, and new housing and churches followed. As the Anglican population of Roath grew, a first church was licensed on the site in November 1886: a simple building of wood and iron. It was far too small for the growing congregation.

A permanent Neo-Gothic church was built to replace it. Work began in 1897 or 1899, depending on the account, and the building was consecrated on 20 October 1901. Two years later, in 1903, the congregation became a parish in its own right.

What happened during the war?

The most dramatic moment came on 26 February 1941. During an air raid on Cardiff, an incendiary bomb struck the church, and the resulting fire destroyed one of the most elaborate church interiors in South Wales. Of the original furnishings, only the Calvary, a sculpted crucifixion group on the north wall near the Holy Cross Chapel, survived.

Rebuilding took years. A faculty for restoration was issued in July 1951, and the church was reconsecrated on 17 December 1955. For the people of Roath it marked the end of a long and difficult period.

What is the church like today?

St Martin's belongs to the Anglo-Catholic tradition within the Church in Wales. That means a rich style of liturgy and a strong emphasis on sacramental heritage, which sets it apart from plainer Protestant congregations. The parish remains active, and the building still serves as the local parish church.

What to look for

• The Neo-Gothic structure by Kempson, typical of Victorian and Edwardian church architecture in Cardiff.
• The Calvary on the north wall, the only part of the original furnishings to survive the fire.
• The Holy Cross Chapel, next to where the Calvary stands.
• The Albany Road surroundings, which show the character of Roath, developed during the coal boom.

Frequently asked questions

Where is St Martin's Church? On Albany Road in Roath, in the eastern part of Cardiff, Wales.

When was it consecrated? Originally on 20 October 1901. After the wartime destruction it was reconsecrated on 17 December 1955.

Who designed the church? Architect F. R. Kempson, in the Neo-Gothic style.

What did the 1941 fire destroy? Most of the interior, regarded as one of the most elaborate in South Wales. Only the Calvary on the north wall survived.

Which church does the parish belong to? The Church in Wales, in the Diocese of Llandaff. The congregation is Anglo-Catholic in character.

Is it worth a visit? Yes, if you are interested in Cardiff's history, Victorian architecture and the city's experience of the Second World War. The church shows how a local community rebuilt its place of worship after a wartime loss.