The Barry Sacred Spaces tour, part of the Valeways Walking Festival, was launched by the Victorian Barry Experience and guided by Councillor Nic Hodges.
The tour explores historic and current church and chapel sites in Barry town centre.
Councillor Hodges, who led the walk, said: “Religion and religious buildings were very important as Victorian Barry was being built in the late 1880s and 1890s.
“A census at the time showed that nearly 1 in 4 of Barry’s residents attended church every weekend.”
The tour was researched by Councillor Shirley Hodges.
Nic Hodges said: “Different Christian denominations set up churches in Barry, in both Welsh and English, often starting in small tents or temporary buildings while they raised funds to build the churches and chapels that we are used to seeing around Barry.
“Sadly, many of our early churches have now been lost, but by highlighting the heritage and architectural importance of those which remain, we can keep our Victorian heritage alive – even if those buildings are used as something other than for organised religion.”
The walk was supported by Barry Town Mayor Councillor Dennis Clarke, who has named Valeways as one of his chosen charities for the year.
Cllr Clarke said: “I would like to thank Valeways for organising their annual walking festival and Victorian Barry Experience for taking the opportunity to highlight Barry’s religious history and the number of heritage buildings within the town centre.”
