Meet Our Team

Headshot of the Reverend Marc-Ashton Walford

Reverend Marc-Ashton Walford

Priest at Christ Church Cyfarthfa and Ss Peter & Paul Abercanaid

Email: MarcWalford@cinw.org.uk

Tel: 01685 384548
Tel: 07432 341821

  • Marc is a team vicar in the Merthyr Tydfil Ministry Area and is married to Patrycja. Marc grew up in this diocese before going off to university to study ‘Space Science and Robotics’ which is where his faith came alive. He then worked as a care worker for adults with learning difficulties for 2 years during the selection process for ministry.

    Marc trained at Wycliffe Hall and served for 2.5 years as a curate in Pembrokeshire. Marc then moved to the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Ministry Area where he completed his curacy before taking on a split role as team vicar and the year of pilgrimage officer. Marc then moved to Merthyr Tydfil where he has served since the start of 2021.

    Marc has a passion for evangelism and seeing people grow in their knowledge and love of God. Marc has responsibility for Christ Church Cyfarthfa and St Peter’s and St Paul’s Abercanaid.

Headshot of the Reverend Caroline Owen

Reverend Caroline Owen

Rector at All Saints Dowlais and Christchurch Pant

Email: calowen18@gmail.com

Tel: 01685 558660

  • Caroline Owen was brought up in Merthyr Tydfil, and spent most of her life here until she was 40. She taught English in Ebbw Vale Senior Comprehensive School before deciding to take a year out to run the local Women’s refuge, where she was a volunteer. 39 years later she hasn’t made it back to the classroom - though still thinks of herself as a teacher - as she moved on from the refuge to the Llandaff Diocesan Children’s Society Team.

    On her fortieth birthday she married Tony Crockett, the former Rector of Dowlais, and began her travels around Wales. Tony was Archdeacon of Carmarthen, and Caroline moved with him to the Diocese of St David’s. Tony was then appointed Bishop of Bangor: Caroline was ordained by him there in 2005, and became curate in the parishes of Bangor and Moelfre.

    Following Tony’s early death, Caroline moved back to the Diocese of Llandaff as Vicar of Cadoxton, Neath, then to the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon as vicar of the eight churches in Dan-yr-Epynt. Finally, the circle was completed when in 2016 she returned to this diocese as the second Rector of Dowlais in the family, with responsibility for All Saints church Dowlais and Christchurch Pant.

    Caroline is a trustee for the Archbishop of Wales Fund for Children, chairs the Llandaff WODS, is chaplain to the local branch of the Royal Welsh Association, is a trustee for Merthyr Tydfil Credit Union, and volunteers with Merthyr Homeless Outreach.

Headshot of the Reverend Steven Barnes

Reverend Stephen Barnes

Priest at St John’s Troedyrhiw and St Mary’s Merthyr Vale

Email: StephenBarnes@cinw.org.uk

Tel: 01443 690249

  • Stephen was ordained at the Petertide ordinations in Llandaff Cathedral in 1986. After serving two curacies in the parishes of Neath and Coity with Nolton in Bridgend, he moved to the Merthyr Valley, to become the Vicar of Troedyrhiw with Merthyr Vale, in 1995, covering the villages of Troedyrhiw, Aberfan and Merthyr Vale, which now form part of the Merthyr Tydfil Ministry Area. He is married to Jenny.

Lay Leadership

  • A nightime photo of an altar adorned with many candles shining brightly.

    Our Faith

    To love God in our prayer, praise and worship and to share the story of Jesus who came to earth and lived as a human being.

  • A collage of the eight churches in the ministry area

    Church Directory

    Come to church! We have eight churches across the Merthyr Tydfil Ministry Area with something to suit everyone.

  • A wedding inside a traditional looking church. The bride and groom are facing the altar, watched by the congregation.

    Life Events

    Let us be alongside you for life’s journey and special milestones, whether they are joyful or poignant.