Van Road URC

During the industrial expansion of the town in the early 20th century, many workers from the southeast of England moved here in search of work and there was a great need for a church leading worship in English. At first worship was conducted in a church hall built in 1898 on a site behind where the present church stands. Evan Roberts, the great Preacher of the Welsh Revival held a service in the then new church in December 1904. Due to start at 6pm the start of the service was delayed by an hour because so many people were trying to get in. 650 people crammed in on both floors of the building, hymns were sung in English and Welsh and a great atmosphere of enthusiasm and fervour developed. Evan Roberts commenced the worship at 7.15 and did not leave until 1am when he went to prepare for the following day’s meetings. Two ministers remained to continue the meeting which went in until 4am. By that time 99 people had been converted to a personal belief in Jesus Christ.

Revd Edward Bush, a native of Caerphilly returned to the town to become the church’s first minister. From the very beginning he saw the church as the centre of the community and under his guidance the building was designed with a number of rooms on the ground floor to accommodate groups of various sizes.

Close to Caerphilly Castle, this Gothic Revival designed building has Arts & Crafts stained glass windows.

Since 2008 much work has been done to restore the church, which, following the vision of Edward Bush is still the host to a large number of community groups and is host to The VAN-guard Centre, a Charitable Trust which organises various meetings throughout the week.