St Mary's Church, Cardiff

St Mary's Church is a church in central Cardiff built in Romanesque Revival style, featuring distinctive rounded arches throughout its structure. The building stands on Bute Street in the Castle district and displays the architectural characteristics typical of this revival period.

The original church was founded in 1101 but suffered repeated flooding from the nearby River Taff. The current building was reconstructed in 1843 at its present location on Bute Street to escape these water problems.

The church serves as a gathering place for Butetown's community and continues to be central to religious life in the neighborhood. Visitors can see how it functions as a meeting point where local residents come together for services and celebrations.

The church is regularly open for services and welcomes visitors who wish to view its architectural features from both inside and outside. Its central location in Cardiff makes it easy to access for anyone interested in exploring the building.

A Gothic church outline is still visible painted on the wall of the Prince of Wales pub, marking where the original church stood before it was relocated. This unusual marker shows visitors the previous location of the building that had to be abandoned due to flooding risks.

Location: Cardiff

Location: Castle

Inception: 12 century

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

Elevation above the sea: 9 m

GPS coordinates: 51.47364,-3.17237

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:04