St John's Church, Aberdare facts for kids
St John the Baptist's Church is a very old church located in the middle of Aberdare, a town in Wales. It has been an important part of the community for many centuries.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: Church History
Building the First Church
The very first church building on this spot was constructed way back in 1189. That's over 800 years ago! Some parts of the original building are still there today, showing how old and strong it is.
Famous Visitors and Early Challenges
In 1749, a famous preacher named John Wesley visited St John's Church. He gave sermons there two times.
By the early 1800s, Aberdare was growing fast. The town had about 13,000 people, but St John's Church could only fit 250 people inside. It was also said that the church was in poor condition. People felt it was very dark inside when they came to worship.
Problems with the Burial Ground
By 1853, the church's burial ground, where people were buried, was completely full. The vicar, John Griffith, reported that the ground was so wet that it caused problems. He worked to improve the drainage, but it was still not perfect.
Restoring the Church Building
Vicar Griffith spent ten years working to restore 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 moved to another town. During this time, Vicar Griffith also started the building of another church nearby, St Elvan's Church, Aberdare, which is sometimes called the "Cathedral of the Valleys."
What "Grade II* Listed" Means
Today, St John the Baptist's Church is a "Grade II* listed" building. This means it is considered a very important historical building in the United Kingdom. It has special protection to make sure it is preserved for future generations because of its history and special architecture.
