Tabernacle Evangelical Church, Cardiff

Repairs to the Grade II listed hall frontage of Tabernacle Church Cardiff had been proposed over many years following historic issues of disrepair and water incursion.  The repairs now completed comprised the first phase of wider repairs to the frontage and involved the upper levels of the facade, with specific, complex demands in terms of scaffold and access. Later stages will embrace repointing, stone repair and the installation of lead trays over openings; the interiors will also need extensive repair following water damage.

The works commenced in January 2023 and were practically completed by the end of April on a twelve-week programme. The works were facilitated by exceptionally good weather conditions during much of the programme period. Tabernacle Cardiff provided most of the money needed, but grants were also received from Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments and the James Pantyfedwen Foundation.

The works have been long-awaited to prevent significant, ongoing damage to the historic building. There is already evidence of a major reduction in the problems being experienced with the building frontage, and this is an encouragement in ongoing plans to facilitate the continued use of the building and the adjacent chapel.

The church would like to recognise the support of the Foundation in the award of the grant. This has contributed a great deal to the church in sustaining the best standards of traditional repair and in promoting the reuse of the building. Indeed, the support and encouragement of the Foundation in maintaining commitment to the award during the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the subsequent profound uncertainty caused in the construction industry, were also of significance to us.