Opening

St Paul’s New Church, Tyndall Street Solemn Opening by H.E. Cardinal Vaughan Tuesday 29th August 1893

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 The new Church opened last month is not likely to be soon superseded: it has come to stay.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.