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The Church in Wales

CARDIFF'S ANCIENT CITY CENTRE PARISH CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST

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CHURCH HOTSPOT

You are welcome to use your wireless laptop or PDA inside the church to send off your messages

The Parish Church of St John the Baptist is two minutes walk from the Castle. After the Castle, it is Cardiff's second oldest building. It welcomes many voluntary and civic bodies for their special celebrations, and individuals from the city, the region, and all over the world.

Together with Ewenny Priory, Llandaff Cathedral, Llantwit Major Parish Church, and Margam Abbey Church, St John's is one of the five Beacon Churches of South East Wales - buildings of distinction, both architectural and historical, worth seeing by any visitor to Wales.

It is open to visit Mondays - Saturdays, from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, and during hours of worship on Sundays.

Well worth seeing: The prominent perpendicular tower and nave rebuilt in the middle of the fifteenth century, after the eleventh century building was destroyed by the troops of Owain Glyndwr. There's a late sixteenth century chapel with an unusual tomb with effigies of the two Herbert brothers - one custodian of the castle, the other an Elizabethan diplomat. There is a twentieth century chapel dedicated to the Welsh Priory of the Order of St John (Ambulance) The church was expanded and enhanced in the last decades of the nineteenth century, and contains a variety of outstanding Victorian and later stained glass. There is a 'Father' Willis organ of distinction. Recently restored it is one of the finest in Wales, and used for concerts as well as accompanying worship.

The tower is open to visitors, on several Saturdays during the year advertised on this website. It may be climbed to obtain a panoramic view of the city.	The Herbert Chapel with its remarkable Elizabethan tomb, Victorian stained glass, and late 20th century crucifix by Frank Roper

A Tea Room operates in the church Vestry from Wednesday to Saturday each week It is run by volunteers to welcome visitors serving delicious home-made cakes and sandwiches as well as hot and cold drinks, and light snacks, at very reasonable prices!