St Jude's Church, Swansea
A History of St. Jude’s Church,
Mount Pleasant, Swansea.

 
Ruth H. Davies B.A. (Hons)
November, 2004
 
 
Early History.
The existing building of St. Jude’s was opened and dedicated in 1915, though a congregation of people had been meeting in the parish of Mount Pleasant for some years before. Services were first held in 1886 at the home of Mr. Wharing Curran in a nearby street, Fairfield Terrace. Three years later attendance was sufficient to warrant obtaining a galvanised iron structure from St. Gabriel’s in Sketty. Corrugated iron, a product of the Victorian industrial age, had been immediately recognised as ideal for use in temporary and transportable buildings and this was not an uncommon beginning for a church.
The iron hut was opened on October 29th 1889. It needed to be enlarged and reopened in its turn in February 1896. This was happening just at the end of the Victorian explosion of church building in towns. St. Jude’s was built as a chapel of ease to St. Mary’s in the city centre, to cater for the spiritual needs of the growing urban population on the hill above the town.
 
In July 1901 the need for a permanent structure became evident and the present church hall began to be built at a site on
Terrace Road
in 1904. The cost was reported at £6,500–£7,000. It opened in 1906 and during its construction services were held in the school along the road.
 
The foundation stone for St. Jude’s as it is today was laid 29th September 1913 and the church was dedicated and opened on 8th June 1915. There was a substantial dedication celebration with services being conducted by different visiting clergy, including the Bishop and the Dean, every day for a week. This new church became part of the large diocese of St. David’s. After the creation of the new diocese of Swansea and Brecon in 1923 St. Jude’s would belong to this.
 
The church and hall were built from Pennant stone quarried and dressed locally. St. Jude’s has no grounds and no cemetery, being packed between the houses on
Terrace Road
.
 
The building consisted of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles, choir and clergy vestries, with an ambulatory across the east end connecting the vestries, and forming a passage to the staircase leading to the hall downstairs. The architect was Colonel Bruce Vaughan who adopted a late 13th/early 14th century style sometimes called Decorated, a division of English Gothic (or neo Gothic) design. This is characterised by the use of windows with curved tracery (stonework or woodwork outlining complex geometrical shapes which subdivided windows into smaller lights).[1] The Decorated style became the preferred one for churches after recommendations by the Ecclesiological Society in the mid 19th century,[2] after which this style was considered the only one worthy of buildings for praising God.
 
The full cost of church and hall (designed to seat 550 each) was £12,500 and special thanks were due to the Glasbrook family and Mrs. George (Matilda) Lennard for their contributions towards this. Great importance is due to individual donations throughout the history of St. Jude’s, whose walls hold tablets to the memory of various benefactors.
 
 

 

 
[1] Madden, Methodism In Wales, p60
[2] Cowley, History Of St. Paul’s, p2
 
Interior Decoration.
An effect of the “Gothic Revival” in church architecture included the use of stained glass which had fallen into neglect for a few centuries previously.
 
The Victory (East) Window.

This stained glass window above the altar was donated by Mr. George Lennard. It represents the two themes of thanksgiving for victory in the Great War, and worship, with the portrayal of worshippers from the bible.
Christ is depicted in the centre surrounded by angels and seraphim. Holy Communion is shown being given to the soldiers at the Front (they are recognisable by their kitbags).
Below this are four figures from the Bible, all fearless witnesses for the truth. Moses bears the tablets of the ten commandments and Elijah holds the raven who fed him, from 1 Kings 17. John the Baptist has his words “Behold the lamb of God”. St. Paul is armed with a sword and the scriptures.
Underneath these prophets are the four patron saints of the country: Patrick, George, Andrew and David. They are symbols of a United Kingdom at a time of war. St. Andrew carries loaves of bread (John 6.8-9) in the form of French sticks as tall as he.
In the tracery is shown the Palm. This was a symbol of victory since pre-Christian times so it became natural for it to become associated with Christ’s death and resurrection, and with earthly victory in war. This is surrounded by the four national emblems of rose, shamrock, thistle and leek.
These are framed by the Greek letters A and W, Alpha and Omega, with two bright stars.
The inscription reads:
To the glory of God and in grateful thanksgiving for a victorious peace 1919. This window is erected by Matilda Lennard.
The window was designed and built by Charles Powell F.R.S.A. of Highgate in London.

The reredos[1] behind the main altar depicts the risen Christ appearing to the followers in Emmaus: “He was known of them in the breaking of bread”.

 
The holy table, sanctuary chair, pulpit and the carvings on the choir stalls are all of oak and were from the studio of William Clark of Llandaff to the designs of the chief architect.

 
 

 
Memorial Chapel and South Side Windows.
A service of unveiling was held on 25th July 1920 to dedicate three gifts: the Memorial Chapel, South side, and oriel[2] windows. The preacher on this occasion was Canon Harold S. Williams (Rural Dean). The Memorial chapel window was unveiled by Mrs. D.M. Glasbrook and the south side windows unveiled by her husband.
 
The Memorial Chapel windows depict Mary Mother of Jesus with her Son, along with women of the bible: Ruth, Naomi, Elizabeth, Martha and Mary of Bethany. So this chapel is more usually known as the Lady Chapel. This window was the gift of Mrs. Lennard.

The south side windows depicting Saints Peter and John were a gift from Mr. Osmond J. Curran in memory of his parents, in whose house the congregation of St. Jude’s first started holding services.
 
 
In the Memorial Chapel, the left hand lights showing Saints Michael and Timothy were presented by the parents of Arthur Lynton Harris who was killed in the first world war. The right hand lights showing Saints Stephen and Alban (the first martyr in Britain, c. 304) were given in memory of others of the parish who fell. They are also remembered here in a book and roll of honour. 
 
 
The west oriel window showing an angel was donated by Misses Dorothy and Marjorie Mallen, and unveiled by Miss Mansel Glasbrook.

 

Memorial Chapel Reredos and Panelling.

 

 

The reredos was dedicated on 22nd January 1933 as a memorial to Mr. O.J. Curran. It was unveiled by Worshipful Brother Edgar J. Rutter, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master.

This reredos is a painting by a master of the Venetian school entitled “The adoration of the wise men from the east before the infant Christ”. The original was painted in the 17th century by Paolo Veronese and hangs in the Vienna museum. The characters are depicted wearing anachronistic clothing.

 

Memorial West Window.

 

 

This was dedicated on 15th May 1949. The three lights[1] in the centre arch are a memorial to Canon Watkin Davies, first curate-in-charge and then first vicar of the church. It depicts the risen Christ standing on a rainbow. On His robe is the Agnus Dei indicating Jesus’ role as the sacrificial lamb. The Holy Spirit is symbolised by a dove above His head. Behind the figure of Christ is the cross with Alpha and Omega. Immediately below are symbols of the four evangelists surmounting the angelic choir.

 

In the bottom centre is St. Jude holding a club and a ship. St. Jude is the Patron Saint of hopeless cases and lost causes – his name being so similar to that of Judas Iscariot that his help was only invoked in such extreme circumstances. He was one of the disciples, also known as Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus, and was a brother of James and (possibly) also of Jesus. Traditionally he was the writer of the Epistle of Jude. He was martyred by being clubbed to death in Persia where he was a missionary with St. Simon. The ship, also a symbol of the church, is a reference to his overseas voyages.[2]

 

The tracery panels contain the letters IHS (originating from the Latin version of the Greek spelling of Jesus), the symbols of bread and wine, and the Orb of Authority. The Greek word Nika means victor or conqueror.

 

The left hand two lights were erected in thanksgiving for victory in the second world war and the safe return of loved ones, and to the memory of those who did not return. At the top of each panel are Reward and Fidelity. The lower tiers have panels representing the civilian services: agriculture, civil defence, the fire service, the merchant navy, dockers, stevedores, engineers and miners, with badges appertaining to these services.

 

The right hand two lights were a memorial to Cissie Maud Callard, donated by her father. These windows were designed and made by the Celtic Stained Glass Studio in Swansea. At the top of each panel are Sacrifice and Courage. In the lower tiers are panels depicting the Royal Navy, Land and Air Forces, the Army, medical corps, nursing and the Red Cross, with their badges at the base of the windows.

 

 


 

The War Effort.

Christian charity at St. Jude’s is shown very clearly during the two world wars. It was decided to provide a snooker room with two full size tables (still there) for men returning from the First World War. Almost 60 years later, G.S. Whyatt wrote so vividly and resignedly about the resultant expense and hassle that it becomes certain he was writing from first hand experience.[3]

During the Second World War the hall was used by evacuees and as an overnight billet for transport services.

Also during this war, a Comfort Fund was formed to make woollens to send to the forces.

A newsletter and concerts were provided for those in the services, including an evening of entertainment and refreshments for 41 wounded soldiers in February 1941.

 

 

Priests.

Rev. Watkin Davies served in St. Jude’s from 1912. He was made curate-in-charge in May 1916 and vicar in October 1920. The Rev. P.W.W. Rees was priest-in-charge 1943–46. Rev. H.C. Williams was vicar 1946–1950. He became Archdeacon of Gower and Vicar of Swansea. Rev. D. Jones Evans was vicar 1950–1977. Rev. Dudley White served from 1977–1998 after which Rev. Howard Parsell became priest to the present day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organisations.

Organisations attached to St. Jude’s over the years include the Church of England Men’s Society, Girl’s Friendly Society, Men’s and Women’s Bible Classes, Mother’s Union, Ladies’ (formerly Sewing) Guild, Scouts, Cubs, Guides, Brownies and Rainbow Brownies, Young Helper’s League, Band of Hope, branches of the Church Missionary Society, Church of England Children’s Society, Zenana Missionary Society,[4] Church Pastoral Aid, Melanesian Mission,[5] Bible Reading Fellowship, Pre-School Playschool Association, Senior Citizens, and Operatic and Dramatic Societies. The full range of societies listed recalls a time when the church provided not just a religious but a social function for the whole family. The Sunday School had 435 children in 1923 led by 28 teachers.

At its peak in 1914 the choir was 60 in number comprising 21 sopranos, 21 trebles, 2 altos, 6 tenors and 10 basses.

 

The Future.

St. Jude’s has always made the most of its anniversaries, celebrating those not only of the present building but also for some time those of the original iron structure and earlier house meetings, showing that the church is more than a building.

A 75th anniversary of the church proper was held in 1990 and the centenary is due in 2015.

 


 

Bibliography:

 

Cowley, F.G., A History Of St. Paul’s Church, Sketty, Swansea

                                                                                        (Dinefwr Press Ltd., 2001)

Griffiths, R.A. (Ed.), The City Of Swansea – Challenges & Change

                                                                                                  (Alan Sutton, 1990)

Jones, O.W., Links With The Past – Swansea And Brecon Historical Essays

        (C. Davies Publishers, 1974)

Madden, L., Methodism In Wales (Conference Arrangements Committee, 2003)

Orrin, G. R., The Gower Churches (Crown Printers, 1979)

Taylor, R., How To Read A Church (Rider, 2003)

Whyatt, G.S., A Rambling History Of Our Church
                                                                            (Home produced pamphlet, 1974)

 


 

[1] Panels of windows.

[2] Taylor, How To Read A Church, p113

[3] Whyatt, A Rambling History

[4] A Zenana is a harem and the Church of England specialised in sending missionaries to educate and evangelise the women of such closed communities.

[5]The Melanesian Mission was founded in 1849 to evangelise the Melanesian islands of the South West Pacific Ocean.