A SHORT HISTORY OF ST. ANNE'S CHURCH, CEFN HENGOED.

(FORMERLY CEFN HENGOED MISSION CHURCH)

Shortly after his arrival to the Parish of Gelligaer as incumbent in 1931, the Reverend John Owen Williams began a cottage Sunday School in the village of Cefn Hengoed, which by that time, due to the increase in local industries and the local colliery of Penallta had grown from being a small hamlet to that of a village. There was a need to provide spiritual instruction for families that now lived in the village. This Sunday School met at 30, Gelligaer Road, Cefn Hengoed, next to the site of the present day Lindsay Constitutional Club and is now the home of the Steward and Stewardess of the club.

Services continued to take place in the "House Church" for approximately the next seven years, during which time, with the growth of membership, it became apparent that other more suitable premises were needed. Land was aquired opposite Derwendeg Primary School adjacent to Carn Gethin Farm for the purpose of building a Church and a Church Hall. It had also been envisaged that there would be room to build a modest dwelling to house a Curate and so, with a grant from the Incorporated Church Building Society and donations from other bodies, work commenced on building a Church.

On Wednesday, 31st May 1939 at 4.30pm a foundation stone was laid by Mrs. Amy Dorothea Hann and her husband who were Church Wardens at St. Catwg's Church in Gelligaer. The service was conducted by the Venerable Archdeacon of Llandaff and was attended by the Chairman and councillors of Gelligaer Urban District Council. The clergy and choir robed in the "Church House" before processing down Gelligaer Road, Cefn Hengoed to the site of the half built Church which, at this time still required another £800 to complete. Also in attendance at this service were the architects and builders (Gittins Builders).

To commence the service, the hymn 'All People that on Earth do Dwell' was sung, there were readings, Psalm 121, 'I will lift up mine eyes unto the Hills from whence cometh my help' was said with the final hymn being 'The Church is one foundation'. The service booklets were printed by W.F.A. Printers of Bargoed.

In order to raise the outstanding money required, villagers were encouraged to 'Buy a Brick' whereby squares, representing the bricks of the new Church were sold weekly. The Church was then called Cefn Hengoed Mission Church. Eventually the necessary funds were raised and the Church completed and furnished. It is believed the bench pews were made from the wood of the West Wales estate of the Reverend J. O. Williams, as was the pulpit and hand rails (sadly long disappeared). The harmonium was purchased through fundraising and the piano was donated by the Lindsay Constitutional Club. Cefn Hengoed Mission Church was a multi-purpose building (before such buildings became fashionable!) with the Altar and Reredos enclosed in an alcove behind a set of doors which were opened for worship but could be closed in order for other functions to take place. Wedding receptions were frequently held there as well as Nativity plays etc.

In addition to being served by the Rectors and Curates of the Parish of Gelligaer, the Mission Church also received ministerial support from a series of Church Army 'Sisters' who were billeted in the village usually with Mrs. Williams of Gelligaer Road, Cefn Hengoed, affectionately known as 'Aunty Nan'. During the Second World War, Annie Griffiths Jones who was one of the 'Sisters' was unfortunately killed by a German bomb whilst visiting her family in Cardiff. As a result of this, the church later became known as St. Anne's Church and during the incumbency of the Reverend Clive M.P. Jones the name was changed and remains as such to the present day.

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Objects of interest at St. Anne's Church include the wartime air raid shelter which is situated at the side of the Church, the wooden Altar which contains a stone bearing five crosses (Petros Skandalou in Greek, based upon Romans (9:33) where Jesus is portrayed as a stumbling stone, a rock that causes offence) and at the rear of the church there is a wooden cross which was made by Gittins Builders when the Church was first built and placed on the Altar. Also the Clergy reading desk and office books were in memory of a village lad (David Eynon) who was killed on H.M.S. Ark Royal during the Second World War.

Zechariah, chapter 4: verse 10 says "Do not despise that day of small things." This Church had lowly beginnings but has influenced many people over the years, may the 'Little Cathedral' continue to play a valuable witness to future generations in this village.

My grateful thanks to Mr. Bryn Williams of Gelligaer Road, Cefn Hengoed, a former Warden of St. Anne's Church for his immense help in producing this material.

Researched by: Mr Gwyn Jones B.A., Dip. H.E., Dip, Theol.