This was a place we found from a quick google while on the road with @Fluffy . A quick trip up into the valleys north of Newport and we found ourselves at this rather fantastic church looming over the village of Avercarn in the Ebbw Valley.
History
It was built in 1923-6 (foundation stone dated AD MLM xxiii) to designs of architect J.Coates Carter, of Cardiff and Penarth, in a dramatically simplified Early Gothic style.
It became redundant in the 1980s but is Listed Grade II*, notwithstanding its condition - a disused shell - as one of the most strikingly original churches built in Britain between the World Wars.
The Explore
Set in the surprisingly busy village of Abercarn, the church is quite imposing looking up at it. We found somewhere to dump the car right next to it and headed up. The site that was once empty is now being built on with new houses, which was slightly active with a couple contractors onsite. However they gave absolutely no shits about us poking around with cameras.
The building is surrounding by rubble, piles of rubbish and it's clear that some attempts have been made to seal it up, but not good enough apparently. After finding our way in we quickly realised that so had every teenager in the surrounding 10 miles.
Access to the main church floor involved a bit of a squeeze, but it was well worth the effort.
Unfortunately we weren't able to get up the tower, I bet the view would have been brilliant.
Photos
History
It was built in 1923-6 (foundation stone dated AD MLM xxiii) to designs of architect J.Coates Carter, of Cardiff and Penarth, in a dramatically simplified Early Gothic style.
It became redundant in the 1980s but is Listed Grade II*, notwithstanding its condition - a disused shell - as one of the most strikingly original churches built in Britain between the World Wars.
The Explore
Set in the surprisingly busy village of Abercarn, the church is quite imposing looking up at it. We found somewhere to dump the car right next to it and headed up. The site that was once empty is now being built on with new houses, which was slightly active with a couple contractors onsite. However they gave absolutely no shits about us poking around with cameras.
The building is surrounding by rubble, piles of rubbish and it's clear that some attempts have been made to seal it up, but not good enough apparently. After finding our way in we quickly realised that so had every teenager in the surrounding 10 miles.
Access to the main church floor involved a bit of a squeeze, but it was well worth the effort.
Unfortunately we weren't able to get up the tower, I bet the view would have been brilliant.
Photos
