The Old Parish of Llangynwyd is traditionally believed to have been founded by St Cynwyd in the late 6th century, and it is certainly recorded that in Norman times the Parish of Llangynwyd was active and had its own Vicar, the first recorded Vicar being Grono in 1234 and it is believed that he would also have acted as Chaplain to the garrison at Llangynwyd Castle.  At that time and indeed until late Victorian times the Parish of Llangynwyd stretched from Coytrahen to Aberbaiden in the South, to the top of the Llynfi Valley in Caerau in the North where it joined the equally ancient Parish of Glyncorrwg.  The old Parish of Glyncorrwg is also smaller now than it was in the past having initially lost but then recovered what was known as the Parish of Afan Vale and villages such as Blaengwrach in the Neath Valley, which were originally part of it.   

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Glyncorrwg is also a very ancient Parish.  It is believed that this Parish was also in existence since the 6th century when Corrwg, a monk from Llantwit Major settled there with his followers.  It is also believed that Corrwg founded a monastery and became a Bishop in Brittany where he died in 549.  The stone church is believed to have been built again sometime in the Norman era. 

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The Ministry Area to which we now all belong is vast.  Its most westerly point is near the Bryn entrance to the Cwmwernderi Reservoir.  It then goes north, taking in the village of Bryn, most of the Afan forest park before turning eastwards and then north-eastwards around Cynonville, Abercregan and Glyncorrwg.  Eventually at its most northerly point, it overlooks the lakes of the Rhigos and the site of the old Tower Colliery.  It then travels south skirting Abergwynfi and Blaengwynfi, eventually coming back into the Llynfi Valley and going down to Cwmrisca Farm and Ffordd y Gyfraith. The six churches within the Ministry Area all serve different kinds of congregations and different styles of worship.