Church Of St John The Baptist

The Church of St John the Baptist stands in Llanblethian, a village in the Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales. Built in the 12th century, it has a tower unlike most in the region, closer in style to those in south-west England. The church was once owned by Tewkesbury Abbey and later gained a notable benefactor. In 1477, Lady Anne Neville, wife of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, gifted the tower. The church was heavily restored in the late 19th century by C. B. Fowler of Cardiff. The church’s history includes a crypt beneath the vestry, uncovered during restoration. The remains of about 200 bodies were found inside, though their origin remains unclear. It was once the mother church of the parish, overseeing smaller churches in the area. In 1994, its status was transferred to the church in nearby Cowbridge. The church was listed as a Grade I building in 1963 for its well-preserved medieval features. Inside, the church holds a 12th-century chancel with original stonework. A stone effigy of a man with a greyhound marks the resting place of a local benefactor’s parents. The pulpit, designed by Fowler and carved by W. Clarke, is a striking feature. The tower contains six bells, restored and rehung in 1994. The church’s Somerset-style tower remains an unusual sight in Glamorgan.