Church of St David

The Church of St David is a neo-classical church, likely designed with similarities to non-conformist chapels, but distinguished by its prominent bell-tower at the east end. Unusually, the sanctuary is located at the west end, reversing the typical orientation. Constructed from coursed bull-nosed rubble with raised, tooled freestone dressings, the church features slate roofs and wide, bracketed eaves extended across the gable ends to create a pedimented effect, with a small stack at the west end.

The tower is a two-stage square structure with long, louvred belfry openings and two platbands. A tall, stepped-arched main entrance is set within the tower, leading to a tall six-panel door, with a separated fanlight above and fixed upper panels. Two shallow steps are accompanied by large iron boot scrapers. Recessed blind arches are positioned on either side of the tower, and small, round-headed iron windows are set above further tall doorways. The side elevations, divided into four bays, incorporate very large small-pane iron windows and a sillband; a deep plinth runs along the base. The sanctuary projects at the west end with a lower gable end featuring a platband. The sanctuary window was originally similar to the side windows but has been shortened at the base and now contains coloured glass. Single-storey gabled vestry and chapel wings project to either side.

Inside, the church has four bays, with the eastern bay partitioned off below an organ loft. Tapered, painted iron Doric columns with simple cushion capitals and no bases support a raked gallery. A section of the gallery front has been removed at the northwest corner and a rear section is curtained off. A coved ceiling cornice and decorative central rose are present. A segmental arched recess defines the chancel, featuring a stained glass window dedicated to Sybella Buchan (died 1856). The interior has been re-ordered, including the replacement of the pulpit, with a retaining of the original six-panelled door to the left. Original pews with doors and gallery benches are grained. Numerous wall monuments are present, including four dedicated to the Buchan family, created by Reeves of Bath and Wood of Bristol, and a memorial to Henry Valentine Trump JP (died 1895), manager of the Rhymney Ironworks of Rhymney House. The organ was built by Joseph Walker of London in 1860. A vestibule at the east end (rear) contains a staircase to the gallery, with stick balusters, a slender newel post, and a swept handrail; this area was remodelled in the 20th century but retains deep six-panelled doors with architraves, all grained. A large painted board commemorates the church’s erection, stating that it contains 847 sittings, 575 of which are declared free and unappropriated, signed by L Edwards, Minister, and A Buchan, Churchwarden, on 14 July 1843, and signed SE Lambert.