H I S T O R Y
The church is dedicated to St.Illtud of Llantwit Major who in the late 5th or early 6th century established the first school or 'university' in Wales.
The sundial above the security gates commemorates the Sponsored Pilgrimage by Local Historian David Francis, who in 1986 visited all of the 'Illtud' churches in South East Wales.
The original Celtic church would have probably been a simple nave and chancel structure built of wood or wattle and daub, situated in a round churchyard or 'llan'. This early church lasted for many centuries until the final Norman conquest of the northern part of The Border Vale of Glamorgan that was completed by the middle of the 13th century. The whole area had witnessed a fierce conflict between the Normans and the native Welsh, and during this long period of conquest, loss and reconquest, the history of our church is obviously obscure. About 1180 the church belonged to Tewkesbury Abbey and later to the Chief Lord, but eventually the manor of Llanhari and the advowson came into the possession of the Turbervilles of Coity Castle and their successors the Berkerolles, the Gamages and the Sidneys.
The name 'Llanhari' - rather than 'Llanharry' first appears in a document of the mid twelfth century. 'Llanhari' is probably the correct Welsh form and appears in the works of later Welsh bards such as Dafydd Benwyn. It is good to know that the two village schools have adopted the earlier form. In Norman times 'Llanhari' would have been the name of the manor, the church and the village that grew up around it, but no one can explain the meaning of the name! The church would have probably been made of stone and in 1254 was valued at thirty shillings. Some scholars have described the Font as late Norman like the one in Llantrisant and the narrow Chancel Arch is said to be early 14th century. It was surprisingly left intact by the Victorians. The earliest reference to a clergyman - always known in Llanharry as a Rector - is to one John Joye, who was appointed before 1349.
The Reformation affected our little church like all churches in the land. In the reign of Edward VI (1547 - 1553) some copes, chasubles and a brass cross were removed from the building. During the Civil War and Commonwealth periods none suffered more at the hand of the Puritans than Rector Edmund Gamage, who in about 1649, was ejected from his living whilst his church was closed! One or two Anabaptists preached occasionally in the church until Charles II regained his throne in 1660.
The eighteenth century was not a happy time for the Church. One Rector spent most of his life (about 40 years) at his livings in Worcestershire and London. His poor Curate received just £12 per annum for looking after Llanhari and he was also responsible for Llanilid and Llanharan. By the end of the 18th century part of the Rectory was falling down and the church floor and seats were in a bad state of repair. Things gradually became worse as Nonconformity took root in the village after 1820 and attendance at Peniel Chapel grew considerably. But as newcomers after 1850 entered the village to work in the local coal and iron mines as well as on the farms it was felt that the 'old church' simply would not do. In the 1867-68 the old church was completely knocked down and a new building, designed by David Vaughan (1810-92) of Bonvilston, a well known and self made Victorian architect, rose in its place. Much of the credit must go to the Rev. William Williams, Rector of the Parish and Mr.J.S.Gibbon of Trecastle, who gave the lovely stained glass East Window, but they were also assisted by public subscription. The Rector was exceedingly busy at this time of regeneration because in 1870 he helped establish the well known National School of Llansannor to enable children of working class parents receive a Christian education. He also rebuilt Llanharry Rectory and started a Night School in The Bear Inn for miners and their families.
Rector Williams was succeeded by the Rev. David Richards in 1897. A fine local preacher, he established closer ties with 'the chapel goers' than Williams ever did. In 1901 he arranged a special service to allow Mrs.Blandy Jenkins of Llanharan House to unveil a plaque to William Lewis of Llanharry, who had died in South Africa during The Boer War. Rector Richards was followed by the Rev. John Davies, who tastefully re-equipped the interior of the Church, especially in the Chancel and added a Vestry in 1933. Due to subsidence the bell turret nearly collapsed in the early 1950s, but Rector Davies established a fund to have it rebuilt. His successor the Rev. George Hurlow saw the dream of a Memorial Hall being finally realised in 1965. He also initiated a series of Civic Services that brought many important people to the parish and saw the village expand rapidly in the 1950s and 60s, but plunge into economic stagnation with the closing of the Iron Mine in 1975. After 1981 the Rev. Ufelgwyn Maundy Phillips and the Rev. Harold Morgan looked after the Parish in turn until the Rev. J.Glyn Williams of Bridgend came as Priest-in-Charge in 1983, aged 65. He continued the work of renovation, added some religious and historical artefacts, had the two ancient bells repaired and a finely wrought security gate installed in 1995. These items were unveiled and dedicated by The Rt.Rev. Roy Davies, Bishop of Llandaff, and it was good to see members of the Samuel-Gibbon family at the ceremony because their family have been generous benefactors over the centuries. After the Rev. Glyn Williams retired, history was again made in January 2001, when the Rev. Geraldine Blyth was appointed as the first woman Priest-in-Charge of the parish.
David J Francis
Local Historian
Sources
1. 'Glamorgan Historian, Vol.6', published by Stewart Williams of Barry, 1969
2. C.A.H. Green, 'Notes on Churches in the Diocese of Llandaff' (Aberdare 1906-7)
First listed as a Building of Special Architectural or Historic Interest 30 March 2000.
Grade II P.R.S. No. 3998 R.B. No.LO68 Grid reference 300-60 18043. Record number 23078.