Believed to have been built in the 12th century, the church boasts an unusual tower, consistent with the style more common in the south west of England.

The Church of St John the Baptist is first documented in a mid 12th century charter which showed it as a possession of Tewkesbury Abbey.

[2][3] An entry in the parish register, dating from 1721, states that Anne was responsible for "the south part of Cowbridge church and St John’s Tower in Cardiff".

[3] This past right gave the vicar of Llanblethian oversight of the other churches in the parish including those at Llansannor and Welsh St Donats.

Of note within the church is a stone effigy of a man with a greyhound at his feet and a simple but handsome tablet dedicated to the parents of local benefactor Sir Leoline Jenkins, dated 1763.