ONE of the great sons of Swansea and arguably most famous Welsh missionary of all time, Griffith John, pictured, is being commemorated at an unveiling of memorial gardens and plaque at Griffith John Street flats.
A short dedication service will precede the opening on Sunday at 12.30pm, which is being chaired by the Reverend Graham John, pictured, the current minister of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Mr John was ordained in 1855.
Dr Vernon Williams, chairman of the Griffith John Committee, will unveil the plaque during the event.
Inscribed in Welsh, English and Chinese, the plaque is testimony to Mr John's work in Hankow — now known as Wuhan — where the man himself had a base for more than 50 years, making a huge contribution to education and health services in the province.
Welsh and Chinese-speaking Mr John was born in 1831 and died in 1912. A powerful speaker, he was popular with the Chinese, who would gather in great numbers to hear him preach.
He returned to Britain in January 1912, and died in London on 25 July that year. He was buried at Sketty in Swansea. Councillor Nick Bradley, Swansea's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Griffith John is a key figure in Swansea's history and his commitment to education and healthcare in China in the 19th Century means he's still a revered figure there."
The event is open to the public. Dignitaries including Lord Mayor of Swansea, June Stanton, have been invited. And representatives from Chinese churches in Swansea and Cardiff are due to attend.
A Chinese delegation is also visiting Swansea University's School of Medicine, where they will sign a memorandum of understanding on future collaboration.