The Newtown Association

ST PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

Tyndall Street Newtown Cardiff

St. Paul’s Church,Tyndall Street

St Paul’s New Church, Tyndall Street Solemn Opening by H.E. Cardinal Vaughan Tuesday 29th August 1893
(Reproduced from St. Peter’s Chair, Vol. VI. - No. 68, Cardiff, August,1893)

Father Butler is to be congratulated on the success and completion of his labours in raising the capacious and commodious new Church of St. Paul. The massive masonry of the walls and foundations, the wide span of the roof and the long drawn narrow lancet windows, which alone admit light to the interior, combine to produce a soothing effect on the visitor who has the privilege of being conducted over the building by its genial and zealous originator. The finishing touches to the interior are now being given, and preparations for the opening day proceed apace. When all is in readiness the Church will certainly present a spectacle of which Father Butler and his people may feel justly proud. The following arrangements have been made for the day. Tuesday the 29th August has been fixed for the solemn opening. On that date, at 10 o’clock a.m., an open-air procession headed by St. Paul’s Brass Band will start from Bute Terrace. The Hibernian Society dressed in their handsome regalia, the children, attired as for a Corpus Christi procession, with religious banners, many of them new for the occasion,will march through Bute Street and Herbert Street into Tyndall Street. The Hibernians, arrived at the Church, will form the Cardinal’s Guard of Honour. The Brothers of St. Vincent of Paul and the Brothers of the Third Order of St. Francis will have special seats assigned to them in Church. The Bishop of the Diocese, the Right Rev. J.C. Hedley, O.S.B., will celebrate Pontifical High Mass at 11a.m., during which His Eminence Cardinal Vaughan, Archbishop of Westminster and primate of England, will preach. The music of the Mass will befit the occasion, and the Choir will be under the conductorship of the Very Rev. Mgr. Williams, V.G.

Cardinal Vaughan at the Opening of St. Paul’s, Tyndall Street.

The solemn opening of St. Paul’s New Church, which took place amongst the most brilliant accompaniments, marks a distinct missionary advance in Cardiff. On looking at the fine commodious new building and the teeming population around it who form its congregation, we involuntarily contrast the long low schoolroom, which for so many years has done duty
there as a church, with the lofty, capacious and well–lighted structure recently raised, at the same time rubbing our eyes and wondering how the long–suffering people have put up for so lengthened a period with their make–shift sanctuary. For many years and through many a disappointment the most compact Catholic congregation in Cardiff have been looking forward to the erection and opening in their midst of a church worthy of the name, and we now congratulate them and Father Butler on the realization of their hopes. It is now well nigh seventeen years since Bishop Hedley, then Coadjutor to the Right Rev. Dr. Brown, O.S.B., opened the School Chapel in Tyndall Street, on September 12th, 1876. The new Church opened last month is not likely to be soon superseded: it has come to stay. Its solid medieval–like substructure, which strikes some fifteen feet into the ground and fills foundation–trenches about six feet deep, tells us that its builder has looked to the future. The exterior walls are built in blue Pennant stone, with Bath and Radyr stone dressings. The size of the Church is about 80 feet long by about 51 feet wide; sanctuary, 24 feet by 20 feet, with priests’ and boys’ sacristies, confessionals and baptistry.The accommodation is for 600, with 200 additional in the gallery, and the cost about £3,000. The altar has been transferred from the old to the chancel of the new church, where Mr. Milsom, of Cardiff, has had full space to carry out the original ideas of the designer, Mr. C.J.Jackson. Caen stone has been used in its construction. Beneath the slab is a central figure of the Lamb, and on either side are represented St. Peter and St. Paul, St. Bridget and St. Patrick. In the upper portion foliated tracery is introduced, leading up to the figure of the pelican, used to typify Our Saviour’s sacrifice for the salvation of men. In two niches on either side of the altar are placed statues of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. On the right of the chancel is to be erected a marble altar given by the late Mrs. Primavesi. The baptistry is approached by a very fine pair of wrought–iron gates, presented by Mr. D. Morgan, of Canton, whilst inside is a rose window of stained glass, by Hardman & Co., of Birmingham, with the subject, the "Baptism of Christ." A gallery has been erected for the choir, a non–Catholic gentlemen has promised an organ. Mr. Stack, of Bute Terrace, who presented the splendid pulpit in St. David’s Church, Charles Street, has made a similar gift to St. Paul’s. The Stations of the Cross will be supplied by a Belgian firm, another gentleman, also non–Catholic, having contributed £200 towards their erection. The windows throughout are fitted with lozenge–shaped panes of toned glass, while the gas appliances are supplied from Singer & Co.

The proceedings in connection with the opening on Tuesday must have realised the highest expectations of Father Butler and his friends. The weather was gloriously fine, and everything passed off successfully. The Mayor (Mr. W.E. Vaughan) was present, with a large attendance representative of the corporation and other public bodies. The streets in the locality were gaily decorated with streamers and flags. They were crowded from early in the morning, and wore all day a festive
appearance. An enthusiastic reception was given to his Eminence, who wore the Cardinal’s red hat and other insignia of his office, and drove up in a carriage and pair, with Father Cormack as Chaplain. The members of the Cardiff Hibernian Society, with contingents from Cadoxton and other outlying districts, and the schoolchildren, dressed as on Corpus Christi Day, met the Cardinal in Herbert Street, preceded by the Mechanics’ Band, the Hibernian Drum and Fife Band being also in the procession: a guard of honour walked on either side of the Cardinal’s carriage. A detachment of the Cardiff Police Force, under the command of Mr. Head–constable McKenzie, and of the Bute Dock staff, under Superintendent O’Gorman, were also in attendance. The Church was well filled some time before eleven o’clock, the hour fixed for the commencement of the service. The sanctuary was beautifully adorned with ferns, flowers and plants from Cardiff Castle. The music of the Mass (Haydn’s No. 4) was exquisitely rendered by the choir of St. David’s, Charles Street, supplemented by some members of the St. Paul’s Choir. Mr. Bane’s String Band supplied the orchestra. The Rev. Monsignor Williams had charge of the musical arrangements, and conducted in the gallery. Miss Moloney presided at the organ. The Bishop first entered the church, and proceeded to the side chapel, where, after reciting the usual prayers, he assumed the episcopal vestments, and, having blessed the Church, with his attendant priests, passed on to the altar to celebrate Pontifical High Mass, Coram Cardinali (‘In the Presence of the Cardinal’). Soon afterwards his Eminence and the clergy slowly proceeded up the central aisle. The Cardinal wore his red Cappa Magna with Biretta, and walked under a gorgeous canopy…

THE SERMON

Cardinal Vaughan, standing on the steps of the throne, delivered the sermon, taking as his texts the words, "And God created all men in His own image;" "And they gave Him a coin of the tribute and He said to them, ‘Whose image and superscription is this?’ And they said to Him ‘Caesar’s.’ And then He said, ‘Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’ "; and "All souls are mine: as the soul of the Father so also the soul of the Son." At the outset his Eminence dwelt upon the fact that it was the imperative duty of all parents to provide adequately for the religious, mental, and moral training of their children, knowing that the souls of those children were immortal, and that the parents were answerable to God for their future well-being. By common agreement Catholics, Church of England, Nonconformists, held it to be essential that children at the present day should. have a good instruction in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and such other elementary sciences as would fit them to faithfully fill their places in the world. But it was essential that religious instruction should be given to the young daily, and Catholics, members of the Church of England, Wesleyans, and members of the British and Foreign Schools Society, provided for such instruction by conducting schools of their own. All were recognised and assisted by the State, and hence, down to 1870, all were upon an equal footing. But in that year the Nonconformists at large, finding that they were left out in the cold —.either without schools, or that they were bound to frequent the schools of the Church of England. the Catholics or the WesIeyans, declared themselves dissatisfied with that arrangement or compromise. In not wishing their children to frequent the schools of a denomination to which they did not belong they were quite right, but they would have done better if they had built their own schools as the Catholics had done. By the Act of 1870, it became the fundamental law of the land that in Board Schools there should be either no religious education whatever or it was to be of an indefinite and undogmatic character; no formularies, no catechism. Hence the zealous clergymen of the Church of England or of the Catholic Church felt that such schools were not those they could accept. Yet these schools where undogmatic religion, or no ‘religion at all was taught, were to be supported wholly out of the rates. Hence the Nonconformists had, practically, endowed schools, and hence had arisen the extraordinary anomaly that in a free country such as England, where all were supposed to stand on the same footing, two classes ot parents had been created—those whose children should be educated at the public expense entirely, and those who maintained voluntary schools, and whose children were educated partly at the expense of the fmperial Exchequer, while the rest was found out of the pockets of the voluntary managers. But the inequality and divergence became greater as time proceeded, and the theory had been put forward that they must now have board schools not in a supplementary character, but universally and compulsorily, so that there should be one national system of’ education without definite dogmatic Christianity in it. Thus the onscience of those who objected to this was invaded, and. the rights of the citizen were being. ridden over. There were two ways of bringing about this universal system—one by trampling down and extinguishing the voluntary schools, or by passing stringent laws which would render the position of the voluntary school manager one no longer able to be maintained against the demands of the State. Voluntary schools could be reduced in number by demands for structural alterations, for the acquisition of playgrounds,. the introduction of different subjects, the improving of appliances, and so forth ; whereas now over a thousand voluntary schools have been strangled or starved out, and had surrendered to board schools, in a little time another thousand or more might, by the same means, be bound to succumb.

This was the danger before them. They might be told that they could teach their children religion at the end of the week, but not during the school hours. But. it was their firm belief that religion must be made the daily life of the child, and that. its mind must be definitely instructed in the truths of the faith. If religion was to season and influence the whole of the child’s life it must be received daily, for it must enter into and be assimilated with the child’s regular training. To suggest that all the religion that was necessary could be taught at the end of the week was like suggesting that the amount of salt used with one’s food during the seven days of the week should all be taken on the seventh day. They could not accept for their children any school education in which the Catholic religion did not prevade that instruction—which did not teach it dogmatically and with definiteness. To tell them they must take something else was simply to raise the standard of persecution. They had no share in the rates except the paying of them, for others entered into the enjoyment of them, and Catholics said that was unjust and unfair. They were told the secular schools were open to them, but the price was the giving up of their religion. They said, as Catholics, they could not do that. What was to be done? Let them not undo the work of 1870, and let the school boards be kept, but let them be for the whole country. Let the rates be levied upon the whole of the people. There was no wish to deprive the Nonconformists of anything that suited their consciences, only extend the rate and give the Catholics their fair share of it. Some years ago Church rates were universal and compulsory, but by Dissenters and Catholics objecting to their payment for the enjoyment of one class they were removed, when the country came to see that there was a real injustice. Instead of abolishing the school rates, let their application be made universal, and all schools that were doing a definite work in secular education receive a fair share of the rate. Let a man representing the ratepayers accompany the Government inspector, and the two go together or separately. as desired, go to all the schools that were in receipt of money from the rates, and see that the money was applied directly to the secular instruction which was the work the Government desired from the various schools. That would be fair, and Catholics would do all the rest in regard to providing buildings, staff, material, and so on. In conclusion, his Eminence begged his hearers to think over these things, and to discuss them among themselves, so that they might realise their position and responsibility in the matter. If they were well instructed upon the matter of parental rights and duties they would be able to prick that bubble which was set before them of the rights of taxpayers over the homes of Christian parents.

THE LUNCHEON.

Upon the conclusion of the morning service a reception was held by Cardinal Vaughan in the lower room of St. Paul’s School. A large number of presentations of Catholics from all parts of the district were made to his Eminence. After the reception luncheon was served in the room above, which was very prettily draped and decorated for the occasion. The chair was occupied by Cardinal Vaughan who was supported at the chief table by the Right Rev.B ishop Hedley, O.S.B., the Mayor of Cardiff (Councillor W. E. Vaughan),Alderman D. Lewis, Mr. Ll. Wood (President of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce), Alderman T. W. Jacobs, Alderman Carey, Mr. F.Primavesi, Mr. Henry Heywood, CoI. Cux, the Rev. Father Cormack and Mr. C. J. Jackson. About 200 guests sat down to the repast which was catered for by Mrs. George, of Cathays. Cardinal Vaughan, in proposing the toast of "The Health of His Holiness the Pope," said they, as Catholics, looked upon this as a quasi-religious act, just as they did the saying of grace, holding the Pope to be the Vicar of Christ and head of their Church.—The toast was received enthusiastically. Cardinal Vaughan then in suitable terms proposed the "Queen," of whom they were all loyal and loving subjects. (Applause.) Bishop Hedley offered the toast of "The health of Cardinal Vaughan,•’ whom he most cordially thanked for his visit to Cardiff; though his Eminence saw the town when it was experiencing a reverse owing to the strike in the colliery districts. In regard to that difficulty what was wanted was conciliation on both sides; not war, not 1itigation not mere organizat!on. None of these though they might be a sad necessity sometimes—were enough. Conciliation was the key to peace, and peace was the only way to profit and prosperity. In Cardiff the Catholic community numbered twelve or thirteen thousand, most of them generous-hearted sons of Erin, though there were a good many from other parts of the world. They had their twelve or thirteen clergy, who found work around them in all directions. They were therefore glad to welcome among them the chief of their hierarchy, that he might see with his own eyes what was going on here. (applause.) The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm. Cardinal Vaughan, in responding, said it was always a most a pleasurable thing for him to come to Wales, for although he was born in England, and although he had not made personally a very intimate acquaintance with the hills and vales of beautiful Wales, still he knew that his name was Welsh—(applause)—and that though a Hereford man, he was somewhat like the Mayor of Cardiff, who also bore the same name, and was a man from Herefordshire. (applause.) Living on the borders of Wales for several years in his youth, he had so strong an inclination towards Wales that his one desire for some time was to be allowed to go to Brecon to become a Welsh priest and missioner. That was not allowed, and he had been placed in London. The town of Cardiff must be a place that could not fail to interest any person who took a pride in or a deep view of the welfare of the Principality. Cardiff was the capital of the Principality, and the Press of Cardiff was looked upon as stronger and more influential than the Press of any other part of Wales. The fair tone adopted by the local Press in its dealings with all classes must spread by degrees, and overcome the most deep-rooted and inveterate prejudice. In point of fact, what they wanted was light; light, an,still more light. He would not say that Wales was benighted, but he would say that no part of the country desired light more anxiously than Wales herself. This being so Cardiff had a great and very noble mission before it, by means of the Press, by means of its intellectual power. by means of its wealth, by means of its various resources which were brought together in this great and flourishing neighbourhood. in spreading the light. Various kinds of light were produced by different men, literary light, commercial light, political light ; by all means let all the lights flourish. But his own particular avocation was to produce religious Iight—(applause)—and he desired that the light of which he was the chief agent should be carried all over Wales and that the people should see it ; and his conviction was that when the people thoroughly saw his light they would say there was no light like it. (Laughter and applause). Just on that account would he like to live in Cardiff, as from Cardiff he could advertise his light better than from any other town in Wales. His Eminence then proceeded to refer to the work of Father Butler, whom he knew to be a most popular man, and whose name was carried all over the country by the Press of Cardiff. The population among whom Father Butler worked were the hard-working industrious people who toiled at the docks of Cardiff, and who, with their large families, were multiplying at a rate that was uncommon in Wales. It was most important that this community should have its church in its midst, its own school, its own priests, and everything of its own. This he held to be a very considerable service rendered to the town of Cardiff. to the large body of fourteen or fifteen thousand Cardiff Catholics. making his people better Christians, and, therefore, better citizens. He held that to be a service rendered to the Mayor and Corporation of Cardifl. (Applause.) That Father Butler’s services in this direction were appreciated was evidenced by the Mayor and members of the Corporation honouring that gathering with their presence. Father Butler was looking after an important part of the population, and was making them better Christians and better citizens. His Eminence concluded by giving the toast of Father Butler’s health, and it was drunk with musical honours. The Rev. Father Butler, in a thoroughly characteristic speech, returned thanks, and mentioned the great kindness and sympathetic letters he had received from all sections of the community in connection with his work. Though the work had been carried on through many draw-backs, it had progressed, and the new church was a credit in all respects to its designer. Mr. Jones, and its builder, Mr. Gibson. Numerous gifts had been received, many of them most valuable, though they came from the poor. One man, having given half the price of a new pulpit, returned the other day with the other half. The first to give anything was a policeman. All these showed how cordial was the feeling between all classes of the community.

Bishop Hedley in a few words, proposed "The Health of the Mayor, the Deputy-Mayor, and the Corporation of’ Cardiff.’ The Mayor, in responding, said he hoped the new church would be the means of increased good in the neighbourhood. On the Con-tinent he (the mayor) had worshipped as sincerely in a Roman Catholic chapel as in a Wesleyan chapel, although he could not understand everything that took place. but he felt he was among those who were earnest and faithful. Alderman Daniel Lewis said he trusted the day was not far distant when in matters of religion there would be one fold and one Shepherd. Alderman Carey referred to the zeal and energy which were displayed for the well-being of his flock by Bishop Hedley, while Monsignor Williams, the Vicar-General, performed a marvellous amount of work in every direction where his services were required. He proposed the toast of " The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese."

Bishop Hedley briefly responded, as also did Mgr. Williams. who remarked that if there was one thing more than another which afforded the clergy satisfaction it was to show they had the goodwill of their people. This concluded the toast list.

THE EVENING SERVICE,

In the evening at half-past six, pontifical vespers were sung. these being followed by solemn benediction, which was given by Bishop Hedley, his lordship being assisted by the Very Rev. Canon Wilson, and the Very Rev. Canon Wade, the Rev. Fathers Driffleld and Gibbons being in attendance. The choir was again under the skilful leadership of Mortsignor Williams, and Mr. Banes’ orchestral band rendered further valuable services which will long be remembered by those who heard them. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. W. Croke Robinson, MA., who gave a remarkable discourse on "The Question of Continuity." From historical facts, which, he contended, could not be contradicted, and which went back to the date of the introduction of Christianity into England; he held that Rome had always been the forerunner of religion inthis country. He pointed out that when Augustine arrived in England he appealed to ‘the Welsh Bishops to assist him in propagating the gospel through England. If the Bishops of Wales were not in communion with Rome, he, as legate of the Pope, could not have asked them to co-operate with him in preaching the gospel he had received. The preacher stated that, having reviewed the history of England. he had come to the conclusion that there was no greater anomaly than that of ritualism, which, he maintained, was doing solid work’ for Rome. If a Catholic priest were to enter a Protestant house to spread Catholicism he would not be received, but when a ritualistic clergy-man came in carrying with him exactly the same doctrines, save that of obedience to Rome, he was received, as it were, with open arms. It would not happen in the days of those present, but in the years, or centuries it might be, to come, as England and Wales were once faithful to the see of St. Peter, God in His providence would again bring a closer union about. During the French Revolution, when the priests of France had to fly for their lives, they came to England. where they were received and entertained in the houses of the principal non-Catholics, and the work that they then did was now being blessed by God. There having always been the backbone of true religion in England, it might be hoped that God, in His own time, would give the people again the religion of their fathers. The evening service was attended by a large congregation. The function connected with the opening of the church was in all respects a complete success, and is likely to promote a most excellent and harmonious feeling in that locality. Cardinal Vaughan and Bishop Hedley repeatedly expressed their felicitations and congratulations at the success of the ceremony. The Bishop, who is a gifted musician, stated that he had never heard Hadyn’s 4th Mass—one of the most difficult ever written—so. beautifully rendered. Cardinal Vaughan, after visiting Nazareth House, left by an early train on Tuesday afternoon for London, his engagements preventing a longer stay in Cardiff. (From the unsigned report in St. Peter’s Chair, Vol. VI. – No. 69,Cardiff, September, 1893)

All of the above events, so full of the joy and hope of a young and vibrant community, took place on Tuesday 29 August, 1893. On 22 October, 1967, about a year after a compulsory purchase order had led to the dispersal of the people of Newtown to make way for development, Holy Mass was said in St. Paul’s for the last time. The abandoned church became a target of vandals and was eventually demolished.

ALL SAINTS WELSH CHURCH

Tyndall Street Newtown Cardiff

All Saints Church was opened in Tyndall Street on 12 April 1856. t b c.......................

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