Although eight nonconformist chapels and a synagogue had opened, there was still no Anglican church: the nearest was St Mary's in Glyntaff, which was swiftly becoming too small and too far away.

The interior was influenced by the design by George Edmund Street for the church of St James the Less, Pimlico, recently completed in 1861.

The church building was completed in 1870, but an extra aisle was added in 1885, and the clock faces were installed during a restoration by Kempson & Fowler in 1890.

[2] There is much stained glass in the church: most significantly the five windows in the north aisle dating from 1901 to 1912, one of which is signed by R. J. Newberry of London.

On 8 June 1937, organist Doreen Chadwick commenced a series of organ recitals which were broadcast on BBC Radio from the church.

The church is heavily involved with the local community, with a food bank, a debt advice centre and a café operating there.