City United Reformed Church, Cardiff

City United Reformed Church in Cardiff is a remarkable Grade II*-listed building situated in Windsor Place. Constructed in 1866, this historical structure was listed in 1975 and presents a beautiful example of Neogothic architecture. The church was designed by Frederick Thomas Pilkington, a Scottish architect known for his use of local materials and distinct architectural styles, as evidenced by his work on Barclay Viewforth Church in Edinburgh. Pilkington’s design for City URC features a striking gabled roof topped with an octagonal spire.

Originally serving the Presbyterian denomination, the church underwent several modifications over the years. In 1893, the west front of the church was redesigned by E. M. Bruce Vaughan, who introduced a new porch to the structure. A fire in 1910 led to further architectural interventions by Vaughan, including the addition of a new hammer-beam roof.

The church's history is intertwined with the formation of the United Reformed Church in 1972, following the merger of the Congregational Church in England and Wales and the Presbyterian Church of England. After this merger, City URC became a significant part of the Province of Wales within the new denomination.

Located amid the original Victorian houses that frame the beautiful 19th-century street, City United Reformed Church contributes significantly to the local heritage and skyline with its beautifully decorated facade featuring white brick ornamentation and a sharp Gothic tower. Today, it serves multiple community roles, housing the head office of the Churches Together Bookshop and functioning as Cardiff’s Adult Christian Education Center. These roles underline its continued importance and adaptive use in modern times, maintaining its spiritual and cultural significance in Cardiff.