This is the story of John Jones, the most extraordinary Welshman you’ve never heard of. He was a carpenter, a poet, an architect for the Rothschilds, President of the Eisteddfod... and he designed a church now in our care: St Michaels, Tremaen, Ceredigion.

#thread #muttonchops

Born at the Harp Inn in Llanfair Talhaearn, Denbighshire in 1810, John followed his father into the carpentry trade. In his 30s, his skills recommended him to be apprenticed to eminent architects in London, where he helped design the Crystal Palace.

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John's reputation also took him to France, where he oversaw building of the Rothschilds' Chateau de Ferriere near Paris, and became fluent in French - as well as speaking Welsh and English.

Returning to Wales, John was commissioned to design a gothic church for Tremaen.

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In his words, “In taking the site into consideration, and the character of the country around, I have endeavoured to produce a simple country church, and to trust more to correctness of form and proportion for effect, than to any effort at high architectural embellishment”.

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This lovely church opened in 1848 and would be the only church John Jones designed.

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As if it weren't enough to be a successful architect, John was also a famous Bard, writing and performing in his native tongue under the name Talhaiarn, and by the age of 18, he was made President of the #Eisteddfod

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Talhaiarn's works included his own take on popular Welsh folk songs, such as 'Rhyfelgyrch Gwŷr Harlech' ('March of the Men of Harlech'), and his own lyrics, such as ‘Mae Robin yn swil’ ('Shy Robin').

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: @cardiffuni

John was also President of Cymdeithas y Cymreigyddion, a London-based Welsh cultural society. John was said to be very caring as well as talented, and was certainly the kind of person that makes most of us feel like under-achievers!

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: @cardiffuni

Tragically, at the age of 59, pain and suffering from health conditions drove John to end his own life in the Harp Inn, where he had been born.

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