Church of St Andrew & St Teilo, Cathays

The Church of St Andrew and St Teilo stands in Cathays, a district of Cardiff. Built in the late 19th century, it began as a tin tabernacle in 1879 to serve railroad workers. The permanent church opened in 1897, with aisles and nave dedicated that year. A chancel was added in 1901, and John Coates Carter installed the reredos in 1924. The church’s west window is the largest in the Diocese of Llandaff, dating from 1919. In 1954, the congregation merged with St Andrew’s after its closure. In 2020, the church was relaunched as Citizen Church, part of the Holy Trinity Brompton network. The move aimed to serve students and young professionals in the area. The decision drew opposition from some existing members, with nearly 2,000 signing a petition to reverse it. Revd David Sheen supported the change, calling for a more open Evangelical worship style. The church briefly became a separate Conventional District before joining the new Parish of Citizen Church in 2021–22. Inside, the nave and aisles remain from the original 1897 dedication. The chancel and reredos add later craftsmanship, while the large west window dominates the space. The church now hosts services designed for younger worshippers, reflecting its new mission. Nearby, St Michael & All Angels also serves the community, continuing a tradition of local churches. The area’s student population shapes the church’s evolving role in Cathays.