Llanfair Uniting Ch.(1989)

Ecumenical, Penrhys Estate, Penrhys

Built: 1992

I had been aware of this church for some years having seen a photograph in one of the many books I have collected over time. However, knowing the realtionship between Penrhys and the Catholic faith, I came to the wrong conclusion.

  

It was only when I was perusing the more recent denominational yearbooks did I fully appreciate its recognition from all denominations. Both English and Welsh speaking.
    I have quoted the formation date as 1989 as this was when the church was fully recognised as Ecumenical by the denominations, after lengthy negotiation, and being allowed to call a minister in its own right. Yet I understand that a place of worship has existed on the somewhat infamous Penrhys Estate from its early days in the late 1960's. Indeed there is a record of its home, as with most of its commercial buildings, being vandalised. The sad truth was that many of the inhabitants in those years simply did not wish to be there. Being 'forgotten' by the community at large.
    But in more recent years, with a more mobile population, residents are more willing to be there (and many of the more 'unsocial' accomodation blocks have, themselves, been demolished). And it was with this vision for the future that a new chapel was built in 1992. The church, and its associated facilities, such as a cafe, is treated with the fullest respect by the community. It is somewhat ironic that many of the chapels on the floors of both Rhondda valleys have now gone yet this one, in the most remote of places, continues. Long may that be the case.