England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Neath St Thomas

The Parish

The parish of Neath lies in western Glamorgan, about 6 miles northeast of the port of Swansea. Neath is situated on the Afon Nedd and grew up as its first bridging point, lately superseded by the M4 crossing closer to the Bristol Channel. Neat is situated where the A465 road (the so-called Heads of the Valleys road) meets the main coastal thoroughfare from Cardiff to Swansea. Neath has ancient origins, it is widely believed to have been founded in Roman times as their Nidum and was an important market town for the region through the centuries. Neath grew to prominence, along with much of industrialised South Wales as a result of the growth of coal mining and associated industries which rapidly expanded the population, a process which had begun during the period of this transcript. Prior to its industrialisation Neath was the local market hub, a port and the home of a wealthy Abbey. Employment grew as coal became more accessible with the development of steam engines and fueled Copper, Tin & related chemical works. Prior to this industrialisation pastoral agriculture would have dominated the landuse. As it is close to the sea Neath sits at below 10 metres above sea level, the Vale of Neath rising only gently to the northeast soon becomes incised into a landscape that rises to almost 300 metres above the sea to either side. The parish was an extensive area as befits an upland parish, which it was for most of its area, with industrialisation it had supported almost 4,000 parishioners by the time of the completion of this transcript period. In common with most of Wales there is no mention of Neath in Domesday Book.

The Church

St Thomas' church sits in the main shopping centre of the town, surrounded in its rectangular position by shops and other businesses. It can only be reached on foot as the area is extensively pedestrainised. The church consists of two distinct portions, the original mediaeval tower which Pevsner dates to the 15th century and is in the Perpendicular style. The remainder of the building dates to the 18th century when it was necessary to accommodate the growing population and the main body was rebuilt. This is faced with a rather bland cement render giving a rather industrial finish compared with the tower. The building is best approached from Orchard Street where pedestrianisation limits road access but a short stroll into the square reveals the church behind its metal railings. Although there are mature trees inside the old graveyard they do not unduly restrict photography.