Looking around St Timothy's Church in Cardiff, it's hard not to be taken in by its endearing quaintness. The walls are meagrely adorned with the Stations of the Cross and little else. Its plain, pale arched ceiling is nothing like the sky-scraping, spectacular churches you often see, and the religious statues around the building are modest rather than towering, life-size objects.
But, for what it lacks in ornate embellishments, this small, unassuming church in Heol Pennar, Caerau, makes up for in character. As people flock inside they look around and, recognising familiar faces, embrace tightly, chat idly and laugh.
The occasion is a poignant one; after 66 years of serving its community, St Timothy's Church has been holding its last ever services this week before it closes for good. Since opening in 1957 as a temporary location for the growing parish at the time, it has been a community hub, having hosted countless services and everything from Brownies and Scouts to youth groups, Labour Party meetings and much more.
