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A Stone on the outside church wall. |
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St. John The Baptist Church, Glyncorrwg |
History
It has been assumed that St. John The Baptist Church, Glyncorrwg, is a medieval foundation. The old church, demolished in 1905 was clearly of medieval workmanship. The thirteenth century chancel arch did not survive the re-building , but a fifteenth century east window, a holy water stoup and the font were all incorporated into the new building. An unpublished paper by Cadrawd mentions an unused bell, that was given to the church by the monks at Margam, who had taken it from some shipwreck. some consider therefore, that the church's foundation is directly linked to the Cistercian Abbey of Margam, suggesting that the Monks built the church as a chapel for their members engaged in sheep farming at Glyncorrwg, as they had done at their grange in Resolven. Local tradition has even asserted that the Glyncorrwg 'Station' was regarded as a suitable place for "Naughty" Monks to perform their penances!
There is evidence to suggest that the foundation of Glyncorrwg church dates back far beyond medieval times, and into the age of the saints, the fifth and sixth centuries. Sian Victory, in her book "The Celtic Church In Wales", suggests that the Celtic churches can be recognized by several particular features:
Graveyards Built up by layer upon Layer of burials
Circular/Rounded graveyards
A dedication to a local welsh Saint
Built in valleys or on hills
These features described, are typical of the church grounds in Glyncorrwg and it is Suggested that the church name may have been changed by the Normans from a local welsh saint to its current dedication to St. John The Baptist.
The present church at Glyncorrwg was consecrated in March 1907
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A Stone on the outside church wall. |
| Clergy | |
| Robert Thomas 1552 | |
| Thomas Edwards 1563 | |
| Thomas ap Jevan Philip 1574 | |
| Howell Thomas the cromwellian 'Vicar' until 1660 | |
| Henry Howell 'reader' 1661 | |
| Owen Jenkin 1665 | |
| Morgan Evans 1683 | |
| Perpetual Curates (Vicars from 1868) | Assistant Curates: |
| David Jones (1708-35) (?) | Thomas Morgan (or Morrice) 1729 |
| W. Morgan 1733 | |
| Thomas Davies 1735 - 53 | |
| Thomas Morrice 1754 - 55 | John Jones 1754 |
| Leyson Morgan 1755 - 73 | Morgan Jones 1755 |
| William Davies 1758 | |
| William Morgan 1773 - 1809 | Leyson Morgan 1773 |
| Howell Howells 1781 | |
| John Jones 1784 | |
| Edward Williams 1788 | |
| William Williams 1791 | |
| Thomas Elias 1795 | |
| Evan Maddocks 1798 | |
| Leyson Jones 1805 | |
| Leyson Jones 1809 - 50 | William Jones 1813 |
| John Thomas 1813 | |
| Rees Price 1815 | |
| John Parry 1815 | |
| Jonathan Davies 1817 | |
| P. Jones 1830 | |
| Amaziah Rees 1832 | |
| David Jonathan 1832 | |
| William Thomas1834 | |
| John Williams1834 | |
| Richard P. Llywelyn 1836 | |
| John Davies 1838 | |
| Morgan John 1839 | |
| M. O. Morgan 1840 | |
| John Morgan 1842 | |
| Thomas Lewis 1842 | |
| W. G. Davies 1844 | |
| John Jones 1844 | |
| John Williams1845 | |
| James Whitworth 1846 | |
| Henry Walters 1847 | |
| William Davies 1848 | |
| Walter Griffiths, B.D. 1850 - 62 | James Pryse 1851 |
| John George 1855 | |
| David Griffiths, M. A. 1862 - 91 | Daniel Evans 1862 |
| John Alfred Morris 1868 | |
| Morgan Jones 1869 | |
| John Lewis, B.A. 1869 | |
| Thomas Morgan Jones B.A. 1871 | |
| Thomas Major Rees 1876 | |
| Richard Evans 1879 | |
| William Morris B.A. 1889 | |
| William Morris, B.A. 1891 - 1900 | D. A. Lewis, B.A. 1892 |
| Howell Jenkins, B.A. 1901-24 | J. Ll. Thomas, M.A. |
| Albert Boobier 1924-37 | |
| William Roberts 1937 - 52 | |
| Evan Davies, B. A. 1952 - 59 | |
| Albert Autton 1959 - 67 | |
| The Rectorial Benefice of Glyncorrwg with Afan Vale and Cymer Afan: | |
| Rectors: | Vicars and Curates: |
| Thomas Henry Hill, B.A., B.D. [1967 - Curate In Charge] [Rector 1970] | John Oeppen 1967, Vicar 1970 |
| Victor Weston, M.A. 1967 | |
| David Harris, B.A. 1969 | |
| Roger Lee Brown, M.A. Vicar 1972 | |
| Roger Lee Brown, M.A. 1974 | Stephen Barnes B.A. vicar 1974 |
| Stephen Barnes B.A. 1979 | |
The Restoration Of The Church
In 2000, a memorial plaque fell from the wall of the church, which was an indication that immediate restoration work was needed inside the church. The cost of the restoration would cost £15,000. The Welsh Church Act Fund, Diocesan Churches and Pastoral Committee gave grants totaling £2000, but the rest of the money needed to be raised locally. The community rallied round and through a series of events, most of the sum needed was raised. A 'Stars In Their Eyes' performance took place in The Rugby Club and the 'Bar Boys' organized a quiz night. The restoration work took 4 months to complete and on Advent Sunday 2002 we moved back into the church. An open day was held and among the visitors was Dr Hywel Francis MP for Aberavon. He commended the church for having faith in the future of Glyncorrwg. A service of thanksgiving for the restoration of the church took place on Sunday 26th January 2003, at which the preacher was Bishop Barry Morgan, the church was full and amongst the guests were The MP for Aberavon (Dr. Hywel Francis) The Mayor of Neath Port Talbot (Councilor Colin Morgan) and Diocesan Officers.
If you have any information on the history of the church (past clergy, wardens etc.), photographs or any other information that we could use on our website, we would be very grateful if you would Contact Us.
Thank You
