In 1908 when Christchurch celebrated it's 75th Anniversary, Derel Simmonds, who most of you remember with love and affection, wrote a potted history of the life of our Church, here in Llandaff North.
He told us of the triumphs and tragedies the Church had experienced throughout the years, starting with the vision, in 1904, of some members of Beulah Church, Rhiwbina, to establish a Church here in Llandaff North, which was then a rising suburb of Cardiff. They saw a need, 'at the station end' of Llandaff North, as it was called, for a Church. They began by holding services in Hawthorn Junior School and there were about 25 members, but. .. they had very few financial assets. Beulah had already given them a loan, but, as Derek put it, a Spirit of faith, hope and dedication prevailed and a plot of land was purchased and they proceeded to build their new Church, which was where It is now. It was opened in 1905 and throughout the years the Church has experienced a long struggle for survival, but, gradually, then, the membership grew and, in 1915, they extended the building by adding three new classrooms to accommodate the rapidly growing Sunday School, which then numbered 150 children.
In 1919 things were looking good and the Minister and members had a glorious vision for expansion. Mr Hailey, who gave Llandaff North it's magnificent park, also gave a plot of land adjoining it to build a Church. That was directly opposite the present church where there are now flats. It would, they thought, accommodate at least 500 people. 
Their faith and optimism was unbounded. It didn't materialize!! Half way through the project the money ran out and the building was hurriedly bricked off, only temporarily, it was hoped - the completion never happened. It had started as a magnificent building but looked strange at the front with a plain brick wall and wooden porch. But it was our Church and we loved it. The long choir stalls, behind the alter, could seat about 50. The Church flourished for a while and a wonderful old theatre organ was acquired which added greatly to the joy and pleasure of worship and was used extensively for concerts etc. I am sure many of you can remember, as I can,when the choir stalls were full. The Church also, was often full, and with the accompanied of the organ it was an incredibly moving sound, that almost raised the roof.
And then the war came and many of our members, young men and women went to serve King and country. Even our Minister, the Rev Aldred Evans, a young man of whom we were extremely fond, was directed to government employment. So followed a very difficult time - the war office commandeered the schoolroom, and filled it with soldiers. We were pleased to extend a welcome to members of All Saints Church when their own beautiful Church was destroyed by fire. We also suffered a little, as an incendiary bomb destroyed most of our church records when it came through the window of our vestry. Thankfully the war ended. All saints Church was rebuilt and our lives resumed some normality. But the growth of the Church was never the same. Young men and women moved away, others went to college and our financial struggle continued. However, we enjoyed periods of exceptional ministry with the Rev. Lemuel Morris, the Rev. Herbert Jones and the Rev John Jewsbury. They all brought their individual ideas and inspired us with their faith.
Things were now beginning to look very black indeed, as, from 1968 onwards, we had no Minister at the helm and were struggling on our own although, Mr Arthur Porter served us diligently without any payment whatsoever! Then, in 1970, the Congregational Union, which was now known as the United Reformed Church, proposed a completely new venture - that we combine with the Cardiff Methodist Circuit. This was a lifeline for Christchurch and we readily agreed. We entered a new phase in the history of our Church. From 1970 we shared a Ministry with Copleston Road, under the Pastorate of the Rev. John Bowen, of whom we all have very fond memories, especially, I know, the members of Copleston Road. Although he was a Congregationalist they took him to their hearts. It was during this time that the sale of the 'Big Church', as we called it, was decided. Our financial position was now in a perilous state and the building was in a sorry state of disrepair. The organ had deteriorated and so it was, with much heartache, soul searching and prayer for guidance, that we decided our worship was not about saving a building, however precious it was to us, it should be about saving souls. With warmth 
and fellowship, prayer and praise to God, Mr Bowen steered us through a very difficult period of our Church life, but, however sad it seemed, all the activity began to enthuse and stimulate the moral of our members.
The money raised was used to renovate the Schoolroom, as we called it, but was, of course, the original Church. I don't think we have ever looked back from that date, in 1974, when we recommenced our services in the small Church. We now felt we had
warmth of fellowship and love that have continued to this day. Since 1975, when Mr Bowen retired, we have had a succession of Methodist Ministers guiding us in our worship unstintingly and we have been very fortunate. We had a brief period with the Reverend Malcolm Beech who encouraged quite a few people to become members and who was very popular with our young people.
It was strange that throughout the difficult years as a congregation, until the last few years, we always had a very thriving Sunday School. It's a great sadness to us that this has altered, but we rejoice that we have had a few new faces recently and, of course, we have been compensated to have firstly, Sara and Sarah singing to us regularly and now Sarah sings to us 'a new song to the Lord' each week and we love it!
In 1979 the Rev. Bill Andrews came to the circuit and we felt we shared the next eight years with one of the most compassionate of men with his very quiet, very sincere and methodical approach. It was a privilege to be guided by his ministry and we were so sad to say farewell to this delightful family. We were then introduced to the Rev. Michael Worsey who also took care of Whitchurch and Copleston Road. What a daunting prospect for a young family man who had given up a very promising career to follow a calling to the Methodist Ministry, to serve God through Jesus Christ. This was his first ministry, but we soon took him to our hearts and I hope he felt the same about us. He was such a kind and sympathetic Minister who undertook his duties diligently and was always on hand, whenever he was needed, to give comfort. When it was time for him to move on we felt we were saying farewell to a really true friend.
We were absolutely delighted to hear that Derek Aldridge was coming home to Wales, taking up Ministry of our churches and the Superintend of the circuit. - what an incredible task for him! But we were pleased to welcome 'our local boy', by now, a very respected Minister and we loved Janet and the family. Derek, as you know, was a dynamic young Minister full of energy and fun, but very diligent in his Ministry. We thought we would enjoy his Ministry for years but it wasn't to be. The enormous task of being Superintendent and caring for four churches was too much, he needed help and so, for a time, we were so pleased- to welcome the Rev Dudley Jenkins and his wife Dorothy. We became very fond of this 'perfect gentleman' and his lovely wife. Dudley helped Derek by taking oversight of Copleston Road and Christchurch.
We were delighted with this arrangement as we had the best of all worlds - Derek and Dudley! Then, very reluctantly, we had to say farewell not only to Dudley but also to Derek and Janet. We were all very sad and bewildered at the time, but, I am sure, God had His reasons and our loss, was, a definite gain for their new circuit where they have been very happy and contented in their Ministry.
Then came an incredible change in our history, not one but two young Ministers in their first post! A young married couple, husband and wife team, job sharing - The Revs. Andy and Helen Fyall. Our first lady Minister at Christchurch. What a dynamic duo they turned out to be, with their young, progressive ideas. We loved them from the very start and were delighted when their two children were born here in Wales. But, as always, good things must come to an end and they were moved to Nottingham after sharing five years of Christian love and care with us. It was a wrench for us, what will happen now we thought, who will be able to fill that gap? We need not have worried for the Rev Andrew Webster came to us, also a young probationer in his first Ministry. What a refreshing whirlwind he has been, loved by us all, old, young and those in between too. We thank you Andrew for your guidance and care, giving us a deeper understanding of faith, as you joyfully proclaim the good news of the Gospel to us. We thank you, also, for bringing Susie into our midst and we eagerly await the birth of your baby - also
made in Wales!
So one hundred years have passed. I hope we have made a difference. I know that I, personally, have always felt cocooned with love and care by Christchurch and it's members, throughout the joys and sadness of my life, and have always felt secure within it's walls. I know others feel the same. As Derek said, in his summary in 1980, what of the future? We don't know! We only know we have travelled this far by faith and hope - our faith tells us we are doing God's will, our hope is that we are serving Him, our members and the community. We ask forgiveness when we are negligent and for renewed spirit when we are lukewarm. We pray for faith and hope to carry us on in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Joan Simmonds June 2005.
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