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St Fagan

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.

Trecynon, Glamorgan

Opening times

The parish office, located in the community hall next to the church, is open Monday to Friday 10am to 12noon. Visitors are welcome to call in to gain access to the church.

Address

Windor Street
Trecynon
Glamorgan
CF44 8LL

This church is unique in being the only one (so far as we know) dedicated to St Fagan in the whole of the UK, and probably the world. Fagan was a missionary sent to Britain by the Pope in the 4th century AD. Our church is named after him because the benefactress, Lady Harriet Windsor-Clive, was a daughter of the Earl of Plymouth, whose estate was at St Fagan’s near Cardiff.

If a church can tell a story then St Fagan’s tells us about the development of Aberdare in the 19th century. It was built in 1854 to cater for the increased population brought about by the coal boom of that period. At different times there were no fewer than nine collieries in the area. The coal may have gone but the community spirit is still very much here, and it is this community that St Fagan’s seeks to serve today.

The visitor to St Fagan’s will be struck by its handsomeness, as befits a church designed by a pupil of Pugin, one Thomas Talbot Bury. Built in the Early English Gothic style, it has a nave, with north and south aisles, separated by 4 bay arcades, chancel and south porch. The bell tower was added in 1909. The church has some fine stained glass windows, some depicting stories from the Bible, others containing images of various saints, including our own mysterious St Fagan. The imposing stained glass in east window was installed in 1952 as a memorial to those lost in World War Two; the ornately carved rood screen is the parish’s memorial to the fallen of the 1914-18 war.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Wildlife haven

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Café within 500m

  • Car park at church

  • Dog friendly

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • Steps to enter the church or churchyard

  • Church in Wales

  • Partnership Grant, £3,000, 2018

  • Our Partnership Grants funded a range of repair projects, recommended by County Church Trusts, to help keep churches open.

  • Cornerstone Grant, £10,000, 2022

  • Our Cornerstone Grants fund urgent repairs and essential community facilities such as toilets and kitchens to help keep churches open.

Contact information

GlamorganTRECYNONStFagan(darrenwreesCC-BY-SA2.0)1 DarrenWRees

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