The Former St Catherine’s Church
Build in 1837 as a chapel-of-ease for Llandrillo-yn-Rhôs parish, on land donated by John Lloyd Wynne, St Catherine’s Church was named after St Catherine of Alexandria, honouring the wife of the funder Sir Richard Butler Clough.
Originally seated 250 with 150 seats for the poor
Achieved its own parish status in 1844
Restored in 1871 and again in 1891
Tower clock (1890) memorialises Rev JD Jones
Herititage Significance
A Grade II-listed structure with Gothic Revival features-tower, nave, vaulted roof, stained glass-anchoring this project in both architectural and spiritual history.
Social Legacy
From its origins serving Welsh-speaking residents to providing space for the poor, the church has always been about community service-an ethos ripe for renewal through our vision.
Civic Memory
The restoration of the tower clock and multiple renovation cycles show a long tolerance for preserving the building-this project continue that legacy.
Creative Continuity
The heritage of care and service alligns beautifully with the intended repurposing into a cultural venue that honours both the past and future.
St Catherine’s Church has stood at the heart of Old Colwyn since 1837, built from locally quarried stone and shaped by the values of care, service, and Welsh-speaking community life. Its vaulted ceilings, intricate stained glass, and Gothic Revival design contribute to its Grade II listing (Cadw Ref: [14844]), marking it as a building of both architectural and social importance. Though dormant in recent years, its strong heritage fabric and surviving features—including a restored tower clock commemorating Rev JD Jones—continue to inspire. Now, as it prepares to welcome a new purpose, the church offers not only the continuity of place but the promise of cultural revival, where the past lends beauty and meaning to the future.