St. Matthew’s Church in Trallwn, Pontypridd, has captured attention as a photographer’s paradise and an urban explorer’s dream due to its captivating transformation under a blanket of ivy. The 116-year-old church, built in 1907, stands silent amidst the bustling streets, surrounded by a vast carpet of ivy that has slowly crept up its walls and over the pavements, attracting both admiration and concern from the community.
Despite its once grand interiors with stone columns, arched windows, and a vaulted wooden ceiling, the church now stands abandoned and in a state of disrepair. Vandalism has left shattered windows, and the neglect is evident as the ivy continues to engulf the building. Local residents have expressed frustration over the church’s neglected state, with concerns about rodents drawn to the overgrown land.
Efforts to preserve the church have faced challenges over the years, with former owner allegations of deliberate deterioration sparking controversy. Despite past planning permissions for redevelopment, the church remains at the mercy of time and weather, awaiting a potential transformation. The current owner, DSLM Development Ltd, purchased the building in 2022, but discussions with the council for its restoration are ongoing.
Historical significance surrounds St. Matthew’s Church, with architectural features like terracotta decorations and Lancet-style design adding to its charm. The building’s potential demolition looms as a possibility, a fate that local historians and advocates are keen to prevent. Efforts to list the church as a historic site have been unsuccessful, leaving its future uncertain.
The evocative setting of St. Matthew’s Church has drawn attention beyond its walls, serving as a location for popular TV shows like “Torchwood” and “Doctor Who.” The potential for the church’s revival as a community hub or residential space remains a distant prospect, as discussions continue regarding its fate. Despite its current state of neglect, the beauty and history encapsulated in St. Matthew’s Church stand as a poignant reminder of a bygone era, awaiting a new chapter in its storied existence.