History in 26 Objects

Object 1

St Nicholas Church

Tap to expand

Built of limestone in the Late Decorated passing into Perpendicular style in the early C13th, most probably late in the reign of Henry III the longest serving mediaeval monarch (57yrs), with the tower added a few years later. The Lady Chapel, originally constructed in the C15th had its south wall rebuilt in 1803. The interior was totally restored in 1860 by John Pritchard and John Seddon who, consecutively, were the Llandaff Diocesan Architects from 1847. The cost of £1200 was defrayed by John Bruce Pryce of Dyffryn. Pritchard was responsible for the restoration of Llandaff Cathedral from 1843-1869. The Church was listed Grade II* in 1963. The roof was replaced in 2017.

Object 2

The Tower

Tap to expand

Befitting St Nicholas as the Patron Saint of Seamen, the lofty church tower, one of the high points of The Vale, is reputed to have acted in the past as a navigation point for seafarers in the Bristol Channel. At the base of the south wall is an Ordnance Survey Benchmark for 119.93 mtrs( 393ft). The top of the tower might be nearly 145mtrs(475ft).

Object 3

The Lychgate

Tap to expand

Unfortunately having to be demolished in 2024 the lychgate was for nearly 150 years the place where the priest first prayed for the deceased before their coffin was carried into the church. It was thought to be designed by Pritchard and Seddon with vertical supports of oak sustaining a Welsh slate roof and contemporary with the C19th church restoration. New Victorian replica gates have been installed.

Object 4

The Cory Memorial

Tap to expand

This is dedicated to John and Anna Cory, their son Clifford and daughter Florence of Dyffryn House (now a National Trust property and garden). It is Grade II listed for its historical interest. Cory was a mine and ship-owner supplying coal to bunker ports world-wide. Anna donated the money for the Village Hall, a place where temperance was to be observed. Public houses there were to be none! Both were Methodists. John's brother Reginald was an internationally recognised horticulturalist and one of the originators of the Chelsea Flower Show. He was an important figure in the garden village movement.

Object 5

Ernest Gwyther White Grave

Tap to expand

Not infrequently gravestones feature a line from a popular song of the day or the distant past. Sometimes there will be a bar or two of random notes on a musical stave. Less often again a popular composer from this or earlier centuries will be quoted. Rarely is there one bar of musical chords waiting to be identified. So, where exactly do the chords on the White gravestone originate from? Let us know if you know!

Object 10

The Font

Tap to expand

The eight-sided bowl (marking the Day of Eternity) and the octagonal column go back to the 13th Century. But what have been thought to be Masonic marks on the base are from pre-Reformation times and let Protestants entering the church know there were those of like persuasion who, if they were caught, would help them fight a charge of hypocrisy. Later again, on the 7th May 1648, during the English Civil War, Royalist troops camped in the church overnight preparing for combat against a Parliamentarian army which prevailed the next day at the nearby Battle of St Fagan's - the biggest ever in Wales. Evidence of their presence is shown by the damage to the plinth where it has been reported soldiers fired shots from their muskets into the stonework. Earlier, in 1403, before the Battle of Stalling Down, a few miles away at St Hilary, it is claimed Owain Glyndwyr's troops sheltered in the church and sharpened their battle axes on the base of the font before routing HenryIV's English army.

Object 11

The Pulpit

Tap to expand

Of stone with short marble shafts alternating with columns, this was a gift in 1880 from Mrs Ella Mackintosh of Mackintosh of nearby Cottrell. It was intended to replace an ancient pulpit on the north side but proved too large and was installed on the south instead, an unusual position for a pulpit. It has a wrought iron book rest.

Object 12

The Whiteside Commemoration

Tap to expandTap to expandTap to expand

Lieut. Miles Whiteside served as a soldier in the Highland Light Infantry and as a member of the fledgling Royal Flying Corps which, after the 1st April 1918, became the Royal Air Force. He died in an aero accident at St Albans in June 1918, aged twenty-three. Born in the St Nicholas Rectory his father was the donor of the church lectern - an eagle sculpted from oak with the inscription “To the memory of God presented by the Revd. M. Whiteside 1890.”

Object 13

The Victorian Lighting

Tap to expandTap to expand

Controlled by pulleys and cast iron counterweights this lighting was installed during the 1860 renovation. It would have benefitted from the supply of paraffin imported from Pennsylvania following the discovery of oil in 1850. The eight lamps, four in the nave and four in the chancel, would have been raised when not required and lowered for refuelling before being set at a height to achieve maximum diffusion. That's the Victorians for you! Adaptation to electricity possibly came as late as the 1930s when the National Grid made it more widely available in rural areas.

Object 14

The Organ

Tap to expandTap to expand

Acknowledged by organ historians to be an extremely rare and unusual instrument commissioned from a little known firm, J S Dane and Sons of Swansea, Appointed Organ Builders to the Government by the Admiralty in 1868. Installed in 1875, Dane only built two others. One has been destroyed, the other modified beyond recognition.

In June 2026 our organ was awarded a Grade II* and placed in the Register of Historic Pipe Organs

Object 15

The Church Plate

Tap to expand

Of significance are two items both given to the church in the time of the Protestant William and Mary who had succeeded Catholic King James II after the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The silver chalice and paten were assayed in 1698 and presented by Mrs Barbara Button.

Barbara Button was a wealthy heiress and a direct descendant of Admiral Sir Thomas Button, and godmother to Button Gwinnett (see Heritage page). She was the owner of both Penllyn Castle and Cotterell Park.

Object 16

The Church Registers

Tap to expand

Though the originals are in the Glamorgan Archives, bound copies are kept in a strong box thought to date back to the 1830s. Marriage records are available from 1755-1930, baptisms between 1755 and 1966, together with burials from 1813-1966. Searches in the Registers can be provided for a fee.

Object 24

The Church in Wales School Banner

Tap to expand

The Banner was made in 2010 by Debbie Cuddihy, a Teaching Assistant, for Year 6 pupils to carry in the procession of Diocesan Church School Leavers held in Llandaff Cathedral each year. The hand of Christ supports the children, showing his love and protection. He is offering them up to be part of the Church family. The school and the church are to be as one for them. Originally blue and white, the green was added to represent the new uniform worn from 2024 when the children moved to the new school in the village. The Clergy visit the school, and the children and their teachers, and sometimes families too, come for regular services in the church.

Object 25

On-Pew Heating System

Tap to expand

Used for the first time on the 6th October 2024 this net zero 220-240V system heats only the body of the people not the body of the church. Think of a heated car seat. It is possibly the first example in Wales; but is installed in nearly 100 churches in England. The running costs are about £7 for a 2 hr gathering if all 100 seats are occupied and the over-door, altar and vestry heaters are in use. Our organists will be kept warm as well and might be able to play faster pieces now with warm hands!

Object 26

Recent Additions

Tap to expand

Our “Modern Times” additions - an accessible toilet with mains drainage and a kitchen - which were funded by the National Churches Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Benefact Trust, the Church in Wales and the St Nicholas Church Committee.