Llanrisant Parish Church graveyard stands as a memorial to the many families who called this town and its surrounding villages their home.
Some of the earliest tombs date back to the 1700s, with a variety of fascinating inscriptions which offer a glimpse into the lives of those long since gone.
The graveyard includes a host of well-known figures in the history of the old town, including shopkeepers, innkeepers and a whole host of Freemen.
Prior to 1900 a cottage and garden existed below the tower overlooking School Street. It was the property of the same family that owned the Malthouse on Heol Las.
A request was made by the clergy to extend the churchyard and the owner of the Malthouse asked the advice of tenant farmer John Davies who suggested they gave it to the church as a gift. Most of the family are now buried there.
For those on a quest of a family history nature, the graveyard allows a valuable insight into their ancestors.
Glamorgan Family History created a detailed plan of the graveyard and those who are laid to rest here:
Education Pioneer
Canon John Powell Jones B.D.
1823-1883
Born on the 24 April, 1823, he was the son of Morgan Jones, Dantwyn, Pontardulais, and educated at Mr. Bowen's Academy, Swansea, from where he entered St. David's College, Lampeter.
In 1855 he was elected Scholar, and took the degree of B. D. In 1841 he was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Durhair in London on credentials sent by the Bishop of St. David' and next year ordained priest.
Beginning as a curate at Loughor in 1846 and in 1850, became rector of Loughor. Regarded as one of the rising hopes of the Church in Wales, this refined, elegant, engaging, dignified and commanding man was Vicar of Llantrisant from 1865 until his death in the Vicarage on 21 December 1883.
Canon Jones, who was made a Freeman in September 1865, was a pioneer of modern educational methods in South Wales, and during his tenure saw the National School built on West Caerlan in 1867.
During his eighteen years' work in this large, scattered parish, the vicar did much in the way of increasing and improving church accommodation in order to provide for the growing necessities of the population.
In addition to the several churches within the parish, however, the vicar had the patronage of Llantwit Fardre, Llanwonno, and Ystradyfodwg. He was vice-chairman of the Llantrisant School Board and took an active interest in higher education.