Remembering Sacrifices and Honouring Legacies
As part of their 160th anniversary celebrations, which coincided with Remembrance Sunday, St Tyfaelog’s Church has thrown open its doors to invite the community to a week long Poppy Festival, with a focus on celebrating 160 years of faithful service in all its forms.
Known as the Cathedral of the Valley, St Tyfaelog’s was built in 1862-3 by Charles Buckeridge, for the Revd Gilbert Harries. Nearly 100 of the town’s young men were killed whilst serving in WWI, and the congregation has undertaken the painstaking task of recording their names and stories to ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten.
The festival opened on Saturday 11th November with a Service of Remembrance. During the festival the church is open every day for visitors to admire the hard work of the volunteers who have spent months creating the beautiful craft work on display around the church.
A large outdoor display of poppies created by schoolchildren from Idris Davies School and Fochriw Primary School seemingly spill through the stained glass windows and on to the altar. The innovative display, all created by church members, is symbolic of the prayers of the community flowing into the church and resting on the altar.
A large cross adorned with hand crocheted poppies forms part of a centrepiece at the front of the church. The poppy theme continues with knitted dolls representing members of the Army, Navy and RAF who gave, and continue to give, their lives in active service.
As Rev Darren Lynch, Curate in the Taff Rhymney Ministry Area, said, “As the anniversary coincides with Remembrance Sunday we wanted to take the opportunity to reflect and remember, but also to celebrate.
As a community it’s important to remember the past, but it’s also really important that we honour and celebrate the future too. We celebrate all those who have gone before us, those who we follow in the faith. We’ve been entrusted with a legacy here, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
We have the cross right there at the front. The cross is our focus because we remember, even in the midst of war and conflict, Christ is the Prince of Peace. If we stand for peace, then we stand with him.”
The festival will come to an end on Sunday, 18th November with a special Songs of Praise event, which will be attended by several members of the clergy who have previously served at St Tyfaelog’s, and it is hoped that the wider community will come along to celebrate the church’s birthday.
As Rev Darren explains, “St Tyfaelog’s belongs to this community. There’s a lot of love for the church in the community. We’re really looking forward to celebrating 160 years of loving service this week, whilst looking forward to at least 160 more!”