An historic South Wales church with a stunning stained glass window, a Donny Osmond link and a guide price of just £50,000 has failed to sell at auction.
Grade II-listed St John’s Church went under the hammer on Wednesday afternoon. But it could not tempt a potential buyer, despite coming with planning permission for 20 apartments.
The historic church, which is set on the corner of Upper Union Street and Church Row within the Dowlais Conservation Area, Merthyr Tydfil, closed in 1997 after 170 years of holding services. It has remained derelict ever since.
Take a video tour inside the old church:
The building has close links to the famous Dowlais Iron Works, which in the 19th century was one of the biggest iron producers in the world.
In 1767, John Guest, a coal merchant, migrated from Shropshire to manage the ironworks. His grandson, Sir John Josiah Guest, took over the works as manager in 1807, with his company eventually becoming the top iron producer in the world.
In 1827, Sir John built the original church and his body lies in an iron coffin at the top of the chancel steps under a red, granite slab.
A marble memorial to Sir John also remains intact on the wall.
Other key heritage features within the church include masonic symbols created by the architect of Merthyr’s Old Town Hall, E.A Johnson, a foundation stone which was laid in 1894 with a time capsule, and a miner’s window donated by Donny Osmond’s grandfather who was manager at the ironworks.
It also has a number of key commemorative plaques and an unusual altarpiece.
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Stephen Morgan, auctions manager at Darlows Auction, said: “Unfortunately, the church didn’t sell, but we have had a lot more interest since it was picked up by the media so we’re confident we will find a buyer.”
Previously, Mr Morgan had said the church held “fantastic potential” for conversion into flats.
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