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PLEASE Help us trace the Thompson family
The church of the open mind. We welcome people who wish to worship with freedom, reason
and tolerance. We do not all hold the same beliefs and we agree to differ. Each person is
encouraged to develop her or his own faith.
Services
Our Sunday services are held at 11.00 am.
(2nd Sunday of the month at
6.00 pm.)
There is also a Welsh Service on the second Sunday of the month at 3.30 p.m.
Weddings and
baptisms by arrangement.
Worship
Worship is varied with some congregational participation. Special services are arranged for
the church's calendar year as well as concentrating on social concerns and drawing attention to
such issues as unemployment, homelessness, the arms race and world population.
Our church and its congregation
The building was erected in 1889. It was built as a result of the population
of Cardiff increasing with people moving into the area. Its present congregation includes
people from all parts of the United Kingdom and North America. There are services in both
English and Welsh with a very wide spectrum of beliefs held by individual members who worship
happily with each other.
Location
The church is located near to the city centre and stands near Newport Road, just
100 metres into West Grove, amongst the buildings of the University. The spacious
hall is used by a large number of different organisations.
Our Minister
Our minister is the Reverend Eric Jones B.A.
Activities
There is an active branch of the Unitarian Women's League, involved in educational
and practical work on behalf of the congregation. There is also a Discussion Group
and a Social Calendar arranging events for enjoyment, as well as concerts and a
Sunday Lunch Group.
West Grove Church is an active church and is a member of the South Wales Unitarian District
with its own programme of events.
Contact us
West Grove Unitarian Church, West Grove, Cardiff
Minister: Rev. Eric Jones Tel: (01685) 873440
E-mail contact:
Unitarian Links
THE THOMPSON FAMILY & WEST GROVE UNITARIAN CHURCH.
The Unitarian Church in Cardiff is seeking help to trace the descendents of the Thompson Family
who were the founding fathers and benefactors of their church in West Grove, tucked behind the
University Engineering block in Newport Road, Cardiff.
The Thompson family were described as being the most generous benefaction family than any other
in South Wales. They made many contributions to Cardiff including University College Cardiff,
The Library, Edward VII Hospital, The National Museum of Wales and the NSPCC. Thompson Park
and Llandaff Fields were donated to the City and Dulwich House was given to be used as a
convalescent home for tired mothers and sick children.
This year's South East Wales Unitarian Society district rally is a conducted tour of the
Thompson legacy to Cardiff. It is hoped that members of the family can be traced and invited
to join with the present day Unitarians in this special event.
Readers are invited to forward any information on the family and their present whereabouts to
the Rev. J. Eric Jones, at 14 Clifton Street, Aberdare. CF44 7PB. Telephone no: 01685 873440,
Fax No: 01685 824470, Mobile No: 0976 766320 or e mail: ericjones@appleonline.net
THE THOMPSON FAMILY
Charles and Marion Thompson came to Cardiff from Bridgwater, Somerset, where they had belonged
to the Unitarian Church. (At this time there was no Unitarian Church in Cardiff). They lived
first in Newport Road and then later at Preswylfa House, close to Thompson Park. (This house
is now being used by Cardiff Social Services Dept.) Charles Thompson became a colleague of
Joel Spiller (Flour Mills) and later became Chairman of the company.
The Thompson's had eight children; seven sons and one daughter. Charles Thompson (junior) was
a member of the committee, which arranged the building of West Grove Church. George Carslake
Thompson was secretary of West Grove from 1887 - 1893. He later became Chairman and President
of the S. East Wales District. James Pyke Thompson was a close friend of the painter, Turner,
and later built Centenary House in Penarth. (On his father's death he became Chairman of
Spillers Milling Co. at a time when Cardiff was the 4th largest port in the U.K. for the import
of grain). Henry Woolcott Thompson became the first Chairman and later Treasurer of West Grove
from 1904 - 11. Former President of SEW District. William Thompson worked actively for the
Church. Herbert Thompson became an Alderman of the City of Cardiff. Arthur Thompson became a
notable ophthalmic surgeon. Marion Thompson, the only daughter, laid the foundation stone of
West Grove Unitarian Church on 14th October 1886. All the brothers were Trustees of the Church.
At the opening ceremony of the Church, George Carslake Thompson said "We have established a
place where thought can be absolutely free".
The contribution to Unitarianism by this family was considerable. The Inquirer carried full
and detailed accounts of their philanthropic contributions. As a memorial to James Pyke Thompson
his brothers presented 6000 books to Canton Library, an organ to West Grove (dedicated
January 1900 and still played today) and made over his pictures to the National Museum as an
outright gift. An Oriel window at the Museum displays his china that came from his houses in
Penarth and Sevenoaks, Kent.
In the 1920's the family moved away and connection was lost. Hopefully not forever.
Philip Griffiths.- Secretary SEWUS : 12 March 2002. 01685 370812. Philip@philipgriffiths.co.uk
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