Llancarfan is a delightful village in the Vale of Glamorgan, tucked away up a narrow valley (and…read moreaccessed - be warned - via some very narrow lanes). Best known for its pub, the Fox and Hounds, it is also home to one of Wales's oldest Christian sites. Here, St Cadoc founded a small monastery around 515AD. Viking raids and economic decline meant that, by the Norman conquest, the original foundation was probably a shadow of its former self, but evidence points to small Norman church having been founded on the site, rebuilt between the 12th and 15th centuries into the impressive church we see today. As well as the robust Gothic architecture, the church retains a fine mediaeval screen and Retford. But Pride of place is reserved for the substantial remains of mediaeval wall paintings, which rank among the best in Britain. For here are a superb rendition of St George and the dragon, being watched by a fine red-bearded king, his queen and the daughter (who St George is saving), with her sacrificial lamb, all watched over by the Virgin Mary. Then there is s complete rendition of the Seven Deadly Sins and a less complete depiction of the Seven Corporal Acts of Mercy. Finally there is a wonderful death and gallant, where a rotting corpse (complete with toad and worms) leads a young 15th Century dandy out of the church and into the graveyard. This is the only surviving depiction of this motif in a British church. The tower has a small Romanesque window set high up, possibly re-used from the earlier Norman church. The church still has regular services and is well worth a visit.

This delightful small church stands in the small hamlet of Porthkerry, (Porthceri in Welsh) just…read moresouth of Cardiff International Airport and west of Porthkerry Park on the outskirts of Barry. In front of the church is a small green, surrounded by cottages and a farm, parts of which are itself mediaeval. The church is dedicated to St Curig, a 6th Century Welsh saint who became Bishop of Llanbadarn (near Aberystwyth) and subsequently Bishop of Brittany, and died around AD 550. The settlement means the port or harbour of Ceri in Welsh, although which Ceri it refers to is rather obscure. Built in the 13th century (on a site which may be older), the church has a simple plan of nave, chancel and porch, with a robust west tower. The interior contains a water stoup and rood screen, both of Tudor date, but pre-dating the Reformation. The interior is brilliantly whitewashed, a relic of substantial Victorian restoration in 1867, which saw the building re-roofed and the chancel arch rebuilt. The tower has a ring of 6 bells, four of which are ancient. The architecture is simple gothic, although much of the detailing we see to-day dates from the Victorian restoration. The remains of an ancient doorway can be seen in the south wall of the chancel. The church is listed at Grade II*. A recent refurbishment has seen the exterior whitewashed as well. The cross in the churchyard is also of interest as it dates from around the 15th century. Although rebuilt at a later date, it seems they used the original stone as it all appears to be mediaeval. The cross is a Grade II Listed monument in its own right. Despite its proximity to the airport and the growing village of Rhoose, the church and its little settlement feels relatively isolated and a little haven of peace - until disturbed from time to time by aircraft! The church can be reached by road from nearby Rhoose, or by footpaths from Porthkerry Park. (NB the paths are steep, and can be muddy in winter.)

The little church of St Baruc's on Barry Island is a daughter church of the main parish church, All…read moreSaints, and is named after the Dark Age Celtic Saint, Baruc, who supposedly gave his name to the town. The church is the only one in the world dedicated to this saint. St Baruc's Church opened as a mission church in 1897, initially under the rector of Sully, whose parish originally included Barry Island. When the congregation became too large for this church, a 'tin mission church' was erected in 1909, made of corrugated iron, which had previously been built in 1881 in the nearby town of Penarth as an overflow for St Augustine's Church. It was located in Plymouth Road on Barry Island, and served the congregation until the 1960s. The congregation then moved back to the original building. The modern chapel now has a small but loyal congregation, with a traditional 'middle-of-the-road' style of worship. Once a year, on 27 September, a service is held in the scant remains of the original mediaeval chapel dedicated to Saint Baruc, just above Jackson's Bay, adjacent to Friar's Road. Baruc was a student of the famous Welsh Saint Cadoc, and spent time as a hermit on Flat Holm, in the Bristol Channel. It was on a voyage there that Baruc drowned, and his body was washed up on Barry Island. It is said his remains were buried in the chapel, although there is no archaeological evidence for this.

I first went to Highfields Church in Roath with a friend, as it's in a area I really don't know…read morethat well at all. Immediately I felt welcomed and surrounded by a good group of people that I could easily relate to. This is an independent church with a quickly growing congregation with families, young people and older generations too. It is a very popular choice for students from Cardiff University, UWIC and Glamorgan. For these reasons there are lots of different activities going on for children, students, twenties, men and women. These range from sports and music activities to ambitious hikes up mountains. This is an outstanding church which really gives its all to the community around it.

A modern church and unique!…read more This church does not worship symbols, idols, or objects, nor do it use them to protect it's people. It has a cross at the heart of it, representing Jesus Christ and his eternal sacrifice. This church believes in Jesus Christ as the son of God, and God to be the father and the Holy Spirit and all are joined as one. They sing cheerful and heart warming songs, they have children groups, teenager groups, and adults groups. They even have Christianity Explored, suitable for the non-Christian folk. It is a massive church and the congregation is huge and possibly forever on growing. During the holidays there is a Holiday Bible club. The sermons are the best sermons I have ever had the pleasure to listen to! They are informative, and read along a passage or two from the bible. They are a missionary based church and plenty of missionaries are based around the world. Everyone is very friendly and they have coffee and tea in between the two services that take place during term time. During the summer holidays they have one service at 10:30am. The other services normally are at: 9:30am and 11:30am, there is always an evening service at 7:30pm.

This is a beautiful old building situated in the very centre of Cardiff, and serving as a…read moredistinctive landmark. St John the Baptist Church is over 800 years old and has watched the rest of Cardiff grow up around it. Yet, it manages to remain just as impressive as ever. This church is a lovely place to visit and is staffed my very welcoming volunteers. There is a small tearoom also situated in the building, and it's a great idea to combine tea and cakes with a little bit of architectural appreciation. My favourite time to visit St John is Christmas. Around this time they extend their visiting hours and the church itself is filled with charity Christmas cards, wrapping paper and decorations to sell. For me, this is an essential part of Christmas that cannot be missed.

Wonderful structure.. Is s landmark for the cardiff market…read more. I went inside..very nice.. Well worth a few minutes of your time to explore it..