Llanelli Parish Church 1904-5 (Listed Grade II Building).
This painting portrays the church shortly before its restoration in 1906., which was so extensive that only the 13th - 15th Century Tower was left standing. However, the Church was rebuilt on its original foundations and today more closely resembles it's early appearance.
The building to the left of the tower is the schoolroom built in 1804. The Lych gate was not erected until 1911. To the right of the picture is the cemetery, narrowed during this period to allow the widening of Bridge street to 12 feet. To the left among the buildings appearing behind the trees, are the "Old Vicarage" and Jerusalem Chapel. To the right and hidden behind the trees is Falcon House. The Church has exceptional 18th Century monuments to members of the Stepney family.
The Artist
John Wynne Hopkins was born in Llanelli in 1954. He emigrated with his parents as an infant and grew up in Northern Rhodesia (Now "Zambia") and Southern Rhodesia (Now "Zimbabwe"). He was educated at Llandovery College, Cardiff College of Art, Trinity College in CArmarthen and Swansea University where he attained a Bachelor of Education Degree. While in Rhodesia he was commissioned and served with the 1st Battalion The Rhodesian African Rifles before returning to Wales in 1982.
He has painted many scenes of Wales and llanelli in Oils and Watercolour. Numerous commissions for the British Army, especially the Army Air Corps has included visits to Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland. He was a former Chairman of the Llanelli Art Society, Chairman of the Rhodesian Army Association Museum Trust based in the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Bristol Temple Meads and is the current Chairman of Llanelli Community Heritage.
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