Port Talbot Town Heritage Trail
- Vantage Point 1: Carmel Chapel, Riverside
- Vantage Point 2: Bethany Square
- Vantage Point 3: Glanafan School, Station Road
- Vantage Point 4: The Grand Hotel
- Vantage Point 5: The Plaza Cinema (Grade II Listed)
- Vantage Point 6: The Station Square
- Vantage Point 7: Aberafan Bridge (Grade II listed)
- Vantage Point 8: The Civic Square
- Vantage Point 9: Aberafan Shopping Centre
- Vantage Point 10: St.Mary’s Churchyard
- Credits
Vantage Point 10:
St.Mary’s Churchyard
Although the present St. Mary’s church dates only from 1858, one of the window surrounds from the medieval church is built into one of its walls, while St. Mary`s church porch contains a medieval grave stone, and the base of the town cross is by the porch.
The early St Mary’s church before flooding, demolition and rebuilding in 1858
The medieval church was flooded in 1768 and the flood damaged the church so badly that the congregation had to walk to St. Baglan`s Church for the next two years. However St. Mary’s did survive for almost another century, until 1858 when it was rebuilt.
This church has now closed for worship, but the graveyard is accessible through the little gate. The grave of the 19th C working class hero, Dic Penderyn (Richard Lewis) is in this churchyard. This is an important site to visit before you leave. Dic was hanged for his supposed role in the Merthyr riots. Although many petitioned the Home Secretary for his reprieve, he was hanged in Cardiff Jail (now the site of Cardiff Market) in 1831. His body was brought to his hometown of Aberafan, and buried in St Mary’s churchyard.
Go through the churchyard entrance, and his grave is on the left as you approach the church.
Grave of Richard Lewis d. 1831 (Dic Penderyn)
Even though Dic Penderyn was a convicted felon, he was still permitted burial on sacred ground. Dic’s brother-in-law, Morgan Howells, a minister of the Calvinistic Methodists, is said to have preached a sermon standing on this wall after the official funeral of Dic had finished. His first two sentences are recorded:
“Dic Bach – are you there? You were not afraid of the rope.”
There is some street art on the wall nearby to commemorate Dic, and the local Trades Unions have put some information near the grave.
For the full story read: ‘Dic Penderyn: the Man and the Martyr’ by S. Roberts Jones: Y Lolfa Press 2022
The gravestones too tell the story of the town, its connections with the West Country, Ireland and even Chile, via the copper trade.
St Mary’s churchyard, Port Talbot
Two of the vicars of St. Mary’s deserve to be remembered for their daughters. Richard Morgan was the father of Frances Hoggan, the first British woman to gain a doctorate in medicine and a keen social reformer; the poet Ruth Bidgood’s father, Herbert Jones, is buried by the church porch.
Frances Hoggan
Ruth Bidgood
For information on current campaign to save the church building, see: Calon y Fro on Facebook.
ABERAFAN CASTLE SITE
Beyond the church, under the ring road (A48) is the site of Aberafan Castle, as noted by the street names, Castle Street and Bailey Street. This was the home of the Princes, or Lords, of Afan, native Welsh princes who held their lordship for some two and a half centuries, in place even after Edward I took over North Wales. The last evidences of the castle were removed in 1895, but a cellar under a house in Castle Street is said to have belonged to the castle.
The arms of the Avene family under Leision de Avene
Aberafan Castle: the location of vestiges recorded in 1876 on the O.S. 25-inch map
For information on the Princes of Afan see:
calonafan.org
You have finished walking the Port Talbot Town Heritage Trail.
If the Aberafan Shopping Centre is open you can return through there. This way, exit the shopping centre at the right-hand side of Costa Coffee, turn riht to reach the bridge over the river and you will see the two chapels, Carmel and Riverside, on the right.
Alternatively, go through the railway underpass next to the bus station, then turn right, up the steps and follow the path across another river bridge; you will see the two chapels to your right.
We hope you enjoyed you stroll around our town, and found what you needed. Please offer any comments on:
calonafan.org
CALON AFAN is a community interest company based in Port Talbot whose mission is to research and share the lesser-known histories of Port Talbot and the Afan Valley.
We’re working to put Port Talbot and the Afan Valley on the map for its unique heritage and history.
If you have little-known heritage stories to share, or would like to know more about our work, do contact us! We’d love to hear from you!