Church House, No1 Church Street, Abertillery

Church House, No1 Church Street, Abertillery.
No1 Church Street, Abertillery was known as Church House and was one of the earliest buildings on Church Street. It appeared on a map from the 1870’s in which it stood on its own at the corner of Church Street and High Street. On the 1861 census it was listed as St Michael’s Church House, I’m not sure if it was originally constructed for use by the church or had any connection with it?

Mr William Gilbert Jones.
The first listed inhabitant at Church House was Mr William Gilbert Jones, a colliery agent. Mr Jones was born in 1831 at Brecknockshire. His wife was Mrs Mary Ann Jones nee Adams, born in 1840 at Blaina, Monmouthshire. They were married in 1859 and lived at Church House with their children Elizabeth Ann Jones, born in 1860 and Francis Gilbert Jones, born in 1861, both born at Abertillery.

Mr Titus Phillips.
On the 1871 census Church House, Abertillery was occupied by Mr Titus Phillips. Mr Titus Phillips (as seen left) was born in 1836 at Rudbaxton, Pembrokeshire, the son of Mr Thomas Phillips, the family lived on the estate of Judge Owen at Gilgeran, Pembrokeshire. At a young age he moved to Cwmtillery and worked at the company’s shop under Mr Treharne Rees.

Mr Titus Phillips was in business early as a grocer and baker in the corner shop on the junction of Carmel Street and Commercial Street, Abertillery, he later built up a second business and moved to the corner of High Street, Church House, Abertillery. He was very successful businessman, owned property and worked hard in the advancement of the town. His son James Emlyn Phillips stayed at Church House and continued the grocery and bakery business there.

Mr Titus Phillips First Marriage and Family.
Mr Titus Phillips first wife was Miss Margaret Vaughan, they married in 1861, Miss Vaughan was the daughter of Mr Watkin Vaughan, Manager of the Nantyglo and Blaina Collieries. The family lived at Church House, Abertillery. Titus and Margaret Phillips had five children, four sons and a daughter, as follows –

Mr Emrys Vaughan Phillips.
The eldest son was Mr Emrys Vaughan Phillips, who became a ship broker at Swansea and later a teacher at Cheltenham.

Mr James Emlyn Phillips.
The second son was Mr J. Emlyn Phillips (as seen right) who helped his father in his business at Abertillery and later had the shop in his own name, he had a grocery, confectionery and baking business at Church House, Church Street, Abertillery.

Rev Walter Vaughan Phillips.
The third son was Rev Walter Vaughan Phillips, who became a Baptist Minister at Hackleton, Northhamptonshire.

Mr Arthur Phillips.
The youngest son was Mr Arthur Phillips of 16 George Street, Blaenau Gwent, an ironmonger, draper and general furnisher with his own business in Church Street, Abertillery.

Miss Bertha Phillips.
The daughter was Miss Bertha Phillips. (More information to come).

Master Giraldus Phillips?
On one of the censuses there featured a Giraldus Phillips, there was no mention of him after.

The Abertillery Local Board Formation.
In December 1876 a Local Board was set up in Abertillery, Mr Titus Phillips was one of the nine founding members of the Local Board and in March of the following year was unanimously elected along with Mr Lewis Richards, Mr J. Green, Mr P. A. Williams, Mr Basil Jayne (owner of the Penybont Colliery) and Mr E. Walker all for the Abertillery Ward and Mr Joseph Wallace, Mr J. A. Harding and Mr S. Jones in the Cwmtillery Ward.

Mr Phillips was also connected with the Baptist movement at Blaenau Gwent Church, Abertillery, was a Sunday School Teacher, secretary to the Monmouthshire Baptist Association and was a founder of the Sunday School Union of which he was secretary until 1884 when his son James Emlyn Phillips took over. He was also on the Aberystruth School Board. In the 1890’s Mr Phillips was the treasurer of the Technical Instruction Committee.

The Death of Mrs Margaret Phillips.
Mr Phillips first wife sadly passed away in 1882.

Mr Titus Phillips Second Marriage.
In 1883 Mr Titus Phillips married Miss Rasalama Williams, the daughter of Mr John Williams of the Onllwyn Ironworks, Glamorgan. They married in 1883. Mrs Phillips was one of the first lady governors at the Intermediate County School, Abertillery.

Upon the retirement of Mrs Jane Jones, Postmistress at Abertillery in 1883, Mr Titus Phillips was appointed Sub-Postmaster of Abertillery, succeeded by his son Mr J. Emlyn Phillips in 1896.

In March 1893 the Abertillery Local Board special committee had a meeting with Mr Titus Phillips with the intention of leasing or buying the Board Offices which they were partially occupying. Mr Phillips stated he would be willing to rent the office building at £50 per year on a 48 year lease, or to buy the building outright at a £1,000 with a ground rent at £4 per annum. A month later the Local Board agreed to rent the offices with the power to purchase after five years under the terms offered by Mr Phillips. Mr Titus Phillips also owned property on Chapel Street, Abertillery he sold one of his premises close to the Abertillery Fire Brigade Station, to the brigade, for them to use as a call centre.

The Retirement of Mr Titus Phillips.
In August 1896 Mr Titus Phillips retired to Newport and handed the post of postmaster over to his son Mr James Emlyn Phillips. Mr J. Emlyn Phillips married Miss Mary Lewis, daughter of Mr William Lewis of the Factory, Blackwood.

In 1902 Mr Titus Phillips, now living at Newport had new large premises built on Bush Hill, Abertillery, after its construction he rented the building out to the Post Office Company as their main Postal Office at Abertillery.

The Liberal Connection.
The family were staunch Liberals and Mr J. Emlyn Phillips and his brother Mr Arthur Phillips were members of the Liberal Club, Abertillery, member numbers 57 & 60, respectively, in the original ledger of 1902.

The Death of Mrs Rasalama Phillips.
On Monday 25th of February 1907, Mrs Rasalama Phillips sadly passed away at her home, Gwynfryn, Newport.

The Death of Mr Titus Phillips.
On Saturday 23rd of March 1907, Mr Titus Phillips sadly passed away at his home, Gwynfryn, Bryngwyn Road, Clytha Park, Newport. He died just weeks after his wife. Mr & Mrs Phillips were both interred at Blaenau Gwent, Cemetery, Abertillery.

In November 1907 it was announced in the South Wales Gazette that Rev Walter Phillips (son of Titus Phillips) had entered the church as a Minister at Hathern, Leicester.

In December 1911 it was reported that Master Norman Phillips (son of Mr James Emlyn Phillips) sadly passed away at 14 years of age. Master Phillips had been suffering with Heart problems.

In 1923 Mr James Emlyn Phillips became a magistrate and took the initials J.P. after his name.

In July 1924, Mr J. Roy Phillips, son of J. Emlyn Phillips passed his Law degree, he had attained the required standards to compete for honours. It stated he had been articled with his uncle Mr Edward Lewis at Cardiff.

In November 1928, Mr Alan Clifford Phillips, youngest son of Mr and Mrs James Emlyn Phillips passed his final examination qualifying him to practice as a solicitor, he was articled with his uncle Mr Edward Lewis, Solicitor of Park Place, Cardiff. Mr Alan Clifford Phillips attended Abertillery County School, a school at Newquay, Cardiganshire and Cardiff University.

The Retirement of Mr James Emlyn Phillips.
In early 1933 Mr James Emlyn Phillips retired from business and announced that he was to leave Abertillery to live in London.

The Sale of Church House, No1 Church Street.
On Monday 1st of May 1933, Church House and numbers 2 and 3 Church Street was put up for sale at auction by Mr Godfrey S. Phillips of Gregory & Phillips at the Station Hotel, Abertillery. The three lots consisted of the following –

No.1 Church House, Abertillery, a grocery and confectionery stores, recently occupied by Mr J. E. Phillips, with private accommodation including six bedrooms and dining room etc.

No.2 Church Street, Abertillery, a double fronted lock-up retail shop in the occupation of Mr Moxley, annual tenancy at £65 per annum.

No.3 Church Street, Abertillery, a double fronted lock-up retail shop in the occupation of Messrs Dunn’s Footwear. Lease expiring in 1938 at an annual rental of £125. The sales sheet stated that at the rear of No2 and No3 there was a well equipped bakery. I believe the lots were withdrawn at £2,900 and was later sold privately.

The Presentation to Mr J. Emlyn Phillips.
On Monday 26th June 1933, a presentation was held at the Blaenau Gwent Baptist Church in honour of Mr and Mrs James Emlyn Phillips who were leaving Abertillery to reside in London. At this time Mr Phillips was the oldest male member and Deacon of the Church. It was stated that Mr Titus Phillips, his father had been one of the longest reigning members of Blaenau Gwent Church and was only equalled by his son Mr James Emlyn Phillips. Mrs Mary Phillips was also connected to the Church and was a treasurer of the Zenana Women’s Missionary Society. Mr and Mrs Phillips were presented with a wireless set and an umbrella.

The Gwent Pharmacy, Abertillery.
After Mr James Emlyn Phillips moved to London, Church House, No1 Church Street, Abertillery was occupied by Mr R. E. Williams M.P.S., F.N.A.O., Chemist and Optician. 

In the image (left) is a letter-head from a receipt given by Mr R. E. Williams to the Old Tyleryan’s Association from July 1939.

Mr Ronald Ewart Williams M.P.S.
Mr Ronald Ewart Williams M.P.S, Chemist and Optician, Gwent Pharmacy, Abertillery. Mr R. E. Williams was the son of Mr D. Ewart Williams of 43 Alma Street, Abertillery, a council ratings officer. Mr Williams was taught at the County School, Abertillery and commenced his professional studies at Cardiff Technical College, he proceeded to the London College of Pharmacy and London Optical College where he qualified as a Chemist and Optician. At this time, Mr R. E. Williams was living at 1 Jubilee Terrace, Abertillery with his wife Mrs Eunice Williams.

Joan’s Hairdresser and Beauty Specialist.
In 1936, Joan’s Hairdressers appeared in local papers advertising hairdressers and beauty culture at No1 Church Street. The business was still advertising after Mr Williams had taken over, so I would imagine at this point the house might have shared its upper floor or an adjoining room as a business premises.

The Death of Mr Ronald Ewart Williams.
On 9th of March 1946 Mr R. E. Williams passed away at 35 years of age. At the time of his death Mr and Mrs Williams lived at the Bungalow, Rose Heyworth Road.

W. J. H. Ewins Chemist Abertillery.
In April 1946, W. J. H. Ewins chemist, a dispensing and sight testing service opened at No1 Church Street, Abertillery, taking over the old business of Mr R. E. Williams.

The Closure of Ewins Chemist.
The chemist was not listed in any local paper after 1998. According to the London Gazette the company of W. J. H. Ewins went into liquidation on the 30th March 1999 – notice London Gazette 15th April 1999.

The Dental Surgeries.
Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s Mr Gilbert Mills, Dental Surgeon occupied the upper floor, No.1a Church Street. Mr Anthony F. Welch took over the practice from Mr Mills and had his surgery there during the 1980’s and 1990’s.

The Later Years.
After the departure of W. J. H. Ewins, the shop was occupied by various people, i.e. a computer repair business, Eileen Jenkins Florist and a shop Darth Vapour, selling electronic cigarettes etc. The premises are now empty and is for sale.