CHURCH CELEBRATES.

Byline: By Peter Collins South Wales Echo

Celebrations are well underway to mark the centenary of St Mary's Church, an elegant building in the heart of Barry.

Those who admire the building might be surprised that it is, in fact, incomplete.

When the Lady of the Manor, Mrs Jenner, of Wenvoe Castle, laid the foundation stone of St Mary's on October 21, 1903, the artist's impression of the completed building showed what the parish, its clergy and people, were hoping would be provided to serve the spiritual needs of the growing Barry Dock.

When the day of consecration came around on June 23, 1905, insufficient funds had been available to realise the vision.

The two covered entrances, the tower, the western bay of the nave and the north aisle were never built.

Father John M Hughes, current Rector of the church, said: "Nevertheless, we have inherited a spacious church in which local people have been ministered to and in which they have worshipped Almighty God for 100 years.'

He added: 'For this, for all who helped to provide this church, and for those who have tirelessly given of their money, time and energy to maintain and beautify it, we give our heartfelt thanks to God.'

Ken Kettlety, 71, the Sacristan at the church, first attended services there as a choirboy in 1937.

He said: "It is a very good building, especially when you consider that it was never finished. Had it been completed it would have cost us a lot more to heat!" Also in 1905: Albert Einstein proposed the Theory of Relativity.

At Wimbledon, May Sutton beat D Douglass (6-3 6-4) in the women's final, and Laurie Doherty beat N Brookes (8-6 6-2 6-4) in the men's.

The Russian Revolution began on Bloody Sunday in January when troops fired on demonstrators in St Petersburg.

Actress Greta Garbo, pictured, was born on September 18.

Jules Verne, author of Around the World in 80 Days died, aged 77, on March 24.