St John's Church, Dowlais facts for kids

St John's Church (2012)

St John's Church is a historic building in the village of Dowlais, which is close to Merthyr Tydfil in Wales. It is a Grade II listed building, meaning it is an important old building that needs to be protected. The church is no longer used for services.

A Look Back: The Church's History

How St John's Church Began

St John's Church was first built in 1827. It was paid for by Sir John Josiah Guest, who was a very important manager at the local Dowlais Ironworks. This was a big factory where iron was made. Building the church cost about £3,000, which was a lot of money back then!

Rebuilding and New Styles

Over time, the church was rebuilt and made bigger. This happened later in the 1800s. The new design was in the Gothic Revival style. This means it looked like old castles and cathedrals, with pointed arches and tall windows. The main part of the church, called the nave, and its side aisles were finished in 1893 or 1894.

Sir John Guest, who helped build the church, passed away in 1852. He was buried inside the church, in a special area near the altar called the chancel. His coffin was made of iron, and a large red stone slab covered his burial spot.

What Happened to the Church?

St John's Church officially closed its doors in 1997. It was no longer used for church services after that year.

In early 2015, the church building was put up for sale. The price was £50,000. Later, the Welsh Government decided to help the church. They set aside £400,000 in grants. These grants were meant to help fix up the old building and give it a new purpose.