Church History

First there had been a Mission run by Mr. Fowler and my grandfather Alfred Bishop in a 1914 - 1918 War Army Camp at the Buttrills. This camp was used as living accommodation by a number of families until the last hut was burnt in the mid 30's. Some of the larger huts were used for school classrooms and a clinic. The mission ceased when many of the families had been rehoused in other parts of the town.

Later, as the town spread more into the Colcot and the one time camp became an estate of council houses, some folk felt it was desirable that a church should be built in that growing part of Barry. It was agreed that a Sunday School should be run in my home at 45 Colcot Road. Every Sunday the local youngsters came to the house and were taught by teachers like my mother, Cis Pritchard, Joan Brace, Joyce Shill, Jean Morgan and probably others whom I am unable to remember. (not much wonder really as I still ran off to the Y. P .0. at Porthkerry Road.) Two of the lads whom I do remember coming to the house were from just across the other side of the road (I think one of their names was Stewart) and they were resplendent in their kilts, the real thing sent down by their grandmother .

On one occasion Rev. Edgar Noble, the minister at Porthkerry Road Christened a baby in 45 Colcot Road, the font being a silver sugar basin. The baby girl was Jill Bennett and even today the Baptism Service is very important to use in the church regular events. In order that Rev. E Noble should have a memento of the service, the sugar bowl was to be engraved and given to him. My task was to take the bowl into the jewellers. so off I went on my fairly new bike to Cardiff. I rode up the hill just beyond where the Walston Castle is today, my gears jammed and I had to leave my bike, walk into St. Mary's Street and back to collect it and walk home. That sugar bowl has a fIrm place in my memory.

Later I heard they were going to hold a tent mission on the site of the future church. That was O.K. I was not going to be involved, then disaster struck. A student at a Methodist College, Rev. Tony Bennett was going to be staying with us for weeks. The odd minister for a weekend had been bad enough, but for weeks OH NO'. As it turned out he was alright and my fears dissolved as he fitted well into our family and did a lot of work around the Colcot. Tony later became a Royal Navy Chaplain and whilst in the R.N. I met him in Colombo & Trincomalee in Ceylon. I also remember at that time buying a brick for the Colcot Building Fund. That brick has come a long way.

To build a new church at anytime is not easy. To even convince the circuit can be tough. In wartime dley could have been forgiven for not trying. Not so! With the purchase of two huts (shades of the Buttrills Camp) minus the chickens, and the building know how of Percy Rendell and the support of local families, a church was built. The outside was not much to look at but it was remarkable what was managed inside. It had to be seen to be believed and those that worshipped there found it was a real spiritual home. The numbers at service were small, but those I attended were always happy and joyous occasions. Like the Sunday School, the Sisterhood were early starters way before there was a church meeting place, but being a mere male my memory of early sisterhood and other meetings was my mother coming home and saying "I did not think it was so late," These words became a standing family Joke. It gives me great joy to see that Ruth Close, Violet Gibson and Val Berrow are still with the sisterhood and encouraging the rest of us in every way.

After 25 years in the old buildings a new church was built and the chance came to become an important part of this Colcot community. But it was going to be hard for a few years. I am sure that when Rev Roy Watson started his ministry living at the Colcot it made it possible to make progress, then thanks to his actions which made it possible for him to stay with us, and the tremendous amount of work he does for us and the circuit, and now with the support he has from Tanya, progress has continued. We are indeed very fortunate to have had the many years of faithful service he has given us. We have to wonder how he manages to do so much year after year.

I came back to St Davids on moving back to Colcot and was happy to have the opportunity to welcome the congregation into church as one of the stewards and gratefully try to help the church to continue progress and work in the community and circuit. 

Noel Bishop