All Saints’ Church, pre 1860
The church of All Saints Oystermouth is an amalgam of the very old and the comparatively new. The church is first mentioned in the records in 1141. But there may well have been a church in the area before the Anglo-Normans established their castle in the twelfth century. St Illtud (c.AD 475-c525) used Ystumllwynarth (Oystermouth) as a quiet place of retreat from his busy monastery of Llantwit Major and built a chapel there. Old folk in the 1800s recalled a tradition of there being a chapel on the cliff at Knab Rock and quarrymen were later to cut through its cemetery.
The earliest surviving part of the present church consists of the Lady Chapel, the south aisle and the western tower and constituted the medieval parish church which was built in the thirteenth century on the site of a Roman building. It served the needs of the parishioners until the mid-nineteenth century.
By 1850 the character of the village of Oystermouth had changed. Population had more than doubled since 1800, rising from 715 to 1,938. A passenger and freight railway linked the village with Swansea and villagers were exploiting a vein of iron ore through the headland, as well as quarrying limestone and fishing the rich oyster beds. The castle was now in ruins and the church, too, was showing signs of age and was in a sad state of disrepair. It was quite inadequate for the needs of a growing population.
In 1860 an extension was built to the north of the medieval parish church and linked to it with an open arcade of piers and arches, which still survive. Half a century later the church, even with its extension, could not seat the crowds, which filled the church for Sunday matins and evensong. On some Sundays there were as many as 500 for evensong and numbers had to be turned away. The resident population had again doubled but was now being reinforced at weekends and during the summer months by train loads of visitors who made use of the railway extension to Mumbles to sample the amenities of the newly constructed pier, which opened in 1898. Not all visitors were orderly or sober! Harold Williams, the new vicar appointed in 1898, was an enthusiastic promoter of church extension. In 1915 the 1860 extension was taken down and a start made on a fine new church. Although work went speedily ahead and most of the church was completed by the following year the continuing war and the inter war depression delayed the completion of the western part of the nave until 1937. The join made between the 1916 and the 1937 work can still be detected in the masonry and the roof work. The old medieval church was retained as a Lady Chapel and south aisle.
The spacious new building, with its fine rood screen and magnificent collection of stained glass is an ideal setting for the celebration of the church's liturgy.
Derek Scott’s watercolour of the Church’s interior
showing the Rood Screen Great War Memorial
Although attendance figures in all churches have fallen since World War II, the parish clergy continue to provide a daily round of services for parishioners and dispense on average 15,000 communions a year. More difficult is the task of attracting funding for maintaining the fabric of one of the largest churches in the Swansea area. However we continue to serve the local community and provide a focus for those who look for somewhere to share the important moments of their lives, be they times of celebration or sadness.
Our prayer is that for centuries to come All Saints will continue its ministry at the very heart of the community which has grown up around it, witnessing to the continuing love of God, through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Stained Glass Windows
A plan of the church showing the positions of the windows
As you walk around the Church you will notice the stained glass windows, indicated above, that are one of the glories of All Saints. Together they pay tribute to the people who have worshipped in this church and have served their community.
a) The Mac Bihari Window
Dedicated in 1988 in memory of the wife of Julian Bihari. Designed by Timothy Lewis it shows images that express the role of our senses, often taken for granted, and the caring love, devotion and companionship of our spouses.
b) This window was dedicated in 1883 and depicts scenes from Matthew's gospel, chapter25;34-36, showing the actions of those who are ‘blessed of my Father.’
c) The Elsie Noel Window
Dedicated in 1994 in memory of a widow of the 1947 Lifeboat disaster and bearer of the British Legion standard, it celebrates youth illustrating the poem "Femhill" by Dylan Thomas which is inscribed at the bottom of the window. The picture also
incorporates "poppies for remembrance."
d) The Dame Catherine Jenkins Window
Dedicated in 1903 it depicts the figures of Gentleness, Love and Patience.
Each of these figures bears the same face, believed to be that of Dame Catherine.
e) The Old Vestry Window
Erected in 1866 it shows Moses the Law Giver holding the staff with which he
struck the rock at Horeb and carrying the tablets of stone.
f) The Lady Chapel Window
Considered to be the finest example of a triple lancet window in the Gower it was restored to its original condition in 1860. The present glass replaces a memorial to Rev'd Samuel Davies, the incumbent who oversaw the 1860 restoration and enlargement. Weakened by air-raids on Swansea in 1941 the window was replaced by the present design, which incorporates symbols representing Christ and Our Lady, in 1972.
g) The East Window
Undoubtedly on of the crowning glories of All Saints is this window which
draws the eye upward as one enters the church. It celebrates the theme of All
Saints with Christ in glory in the centre, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St John
kneeling on either side and the angels and three Marys at the tomb below.
The saints pictured on either side are the Patron Saints of the six cathedrals of
the Province of the Church in Wales. The vine links all these to Christ the
True Vine. The window, dedicated in 1930, was removed for safety during the
last war. When it was replaced one small mistake was made, A close inspection
will reveal it!
h) The Crawshay Window
Recently moved to this position after sixty years behind the organ this
window is dedicated to Isabel Crawshay, daughter of the Merthyr ironmaster
Henry Crawshay who gave the original organ to the church. It depicts the
figures of Faith, Hope and Charity.
i) The St Christopher Window
Designed by Mrs Marjorie Walters this window commemorates the 175th
Anniversary of the Mumbles Railway and was dedicated in 1982. It depicts St
Christopher, the patron saint of travellers, against the background of Swansea
Bay with Swansea Castle on the left and Mumbles lighthouse on the right.
The roundels show the three stages of development of the railway.
From The Festival of Church and Community Brochure July 1996
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