Our story

A penchant for religious dissent was noted in Cardiff as far back as 1662, possibly earlier. In their book, “They Thought For Themselves: A Brief Look at the History of Unitarianism in Wales and the Tradition of Liberal Religion” (1982) D. Elwyn Davies describes how the Bishop of Llandaff “complained to the King” regarding disobedience and having preached “schismatically and dangerously to the people”.

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Whilst nonconformity continued to survive in Cardiff, with minister David Williams, and his son Thomas Williams, taking a Unitarian stance with their congregation at Womansby Street Presbyterian Chapel, by 1816 Unitarians worship was infrequent. Yet, however infrequent, Unitarians continued to exist, with Iolo Morganwg having faith that this could be built upon, to eventually result in a Unitarian Church in the town (at this point Cardiff had not yet received City status). This would happen much later on however, resulting in the construction of a church that several of our members have fond memories of, and is still standing today.

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Cardiff Unitarians, as we know them today, began meeting in the late 1880’s, making use of coffee houses and people's homes. West Grove Unitarian Church was erected in 1889 on donated land, offered by the Thompson family, who were active Unitarians themselves, coming to Cardiff from Bridgewater in Somerset. This would be the first ever Unitarian Church in Cardiff, with the very first brick being laid by the Thompson’s only daughter: Marion, on the 14th October 1889. At the opening ceremony of the church, George Carslake Thompson (Marion’s sibling) was noted as having said:

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“We have established a place where thought can be absolutely free”.

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The Thompson family’s contribution to Unitarianism and beyond, particularly in Cardiff, was considerable, with several of the Thompson children taking on roles within the church and district. As a memorial to James Pyke Thompson (who was an avid art collector and close friend of the painter Turner) his brothers presented 6000 books to Canton Library, an organ to West Grove Church, and donated his precious artworks to the National Museum as an outright gift. You can still see items relating to the family to this day, with an Oriel window at the Museum displaying china that came from James’ houses in Penarth and Kent.

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In the 1920’s the Thompson family moved away and sadly the connection was lost. This wasn’t the end of Cardiff Unitarians however, who continued to meet in West Grove Church until it was sold in the mid-2000’s due to its size exceeding the need of a small congregation. Cardiff Unitarians went on to find their home at the Quaker Meeting House, and have been meeting there ever since.  

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Reference: Davies, D.E (1982) They Thought for Themselves: A brief look at the history of Unitarianism in Wales and the tradition of Liberal Religion. Gomer Press: Llandysul

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Photo credit: Derek Harper (2018) Former Unitarian Church, Cardiff. Available at: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5821131 (Accessed 21/07/23)