Our Lady of the Angels – Cwmbran

Introduction

Our Lady of the Angels in Cwmbran, within the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia, began as an iron chapel dedicated to the same title, blessed and opened on 1 January 1867 with seating for 250 people.

History

The present Church of Our Lady of the Angels was opened on 10 May 1883. Thomas Donovan was ordained on 18 December 1937, and Francis Poyner received priestly ordination at the first ordination in the parish church on 2 July 1939.

Architecture and furnishings

In 1936 members of the C.Y.M.S. provided a pulpit for the church, and the first Corpus Christi procession through Cwmbran's streets took place that year. A more modern altar was purchased for the church in 1953.

The sanctuary was surmounted by a large arch with folding doors, closed on school days so the building could also serve as a school. The church also had a sacristy, infants school and choir loft. On 24 September 1972 an organ recital was given in the church, and the following day everything was removed for renovations to begin. To commemorate the opening, parishioners donated a large framed picture of Our Lady surrounded by Angels.

Stained glass windows on the sanctuary and in the body of the church were endowed by various parishioners. Later, statues and Stations of the Cross were purchased. A new pipe organ was purchased by the parish in memory of an assistant priest who died in a car accident.

Parish life

The Parish Hall, one of the largest in the County, was in constant use for social evenings, meetings and lectures, with a tennis court and a C.Y.M.S. Institute with billiard tables. Saint Joseph's Social Club was opened in 1965 in the Saint Dials area. A further extension to the Social Club was opened in November 1971. A Building Fund was set up with weekly subscriptions from all families to build a separate school.

The new Catholic school on Coronation Road was opened and blessed by Archbishop Francis Mostyn on 22 October 1925. A Parish Hall was opened on 31 January 1928 by Archbishop Mostyn. In January 1971 the Infant School pupils were accommodated in the modern classrooms. During renovations, Mass was celebrated each Sunday in the Parish Hall and on weekdays in the School Hall.

In 1887 Bishop Hedley remarked on the rapid growth of the Catholic faith in Cwmbran where thirty-eight converts had been received in a few years. A large crowd of Catholics and non-Catholics filled the Olympia Cinema to give a presentation to a parish priest on his return. Parishioners crowded into the Parish Hall for a presentation to a canon by another priest. At the church opening, a public tea was held in the Infant Schoolroom and a concert was performed by the Abersychan Fife and Drum Band.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Children are brought into Communion by their parents and family after suitable preparation, with First Holy Communion usually at age 8-9. Children in Catholic schools are informed when they may prepare for First Communion; those outside Catholic schools register with the parish office. The sick and housebound are invited to make Communion as frequently as possible according to parish arrangements.