St John's Church, Aberdare facts for kids
St John the Baptist's Church is a very old church located right in the middle of Aberdare, a town in Wales. It's a special place with a long history.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's Story
When Was St John's Church Built?
The first church building was put up way back in 1189. That's over 800 years ago! Even today, you can still see some parts of the original building.
Famous Visitors: John Wesley
A famous preacher named John Wesley visited St John's Church twice in 1749. He gave sermons there, sharing his message with the people of Aberdare.
Growing Pains: The Church in the 1800s
By the early 1800s, Aberdare was growing fast, with about 13,000 people living there. But St John's Church could only fit about 250 people. The church building was also in poor condition. One person even said that people "worshipped their maker in darkness" because it was so dim inside.
The church's burial ground, where people were buried, also became full by 1853. The vicar, John Griffith, explained that there was so much water in the ground that coffins would often float! They tried to drain the ground, but it wasn't a perfect fix.
Making it Better: The Church's Restoration
It took Vicar Griffith ten years to start fixing up the church. The repairs cost about £900, which was a lot of money back then! The church became suitable for regular services again just before he left to work in another town called Merthyr Tydfil.
While St John's was being repaired, Vicar Griffith also helped build a new church nearby. This church is called St Elvan's Church, and many people call it the "Cathedral of the Valleys."
Why is St John's Church Important Today?
St John the Baptist's Church is considered a very important historical building. It has a special status called "Grade II* listed." This means it's recognized for its special architectural and historical value, and it's protected so it can be preserved for the future.
