Isaac Barrow
Isaac Barrow, d.1680
The Latin inscription on the old table grave by the cathedral doors commemorates Isaac Barrow, who established the Barrow Almshouses in St Asaph.
Isaac was born in 1613 in Cambridgeshire. He had a privileged upbringing, his father being a landowner and magistrate. Isaac held successive positions in Oxford and Cambridge universities, both of which were terminated by political upheaval during the Civil War.
He became Bishop of Sodor and Man in 1663, later also acting as governor of the Isle of Man. He used his positions to advance social and moral reform, including through improving children’s education.
He applied the same enthusiasm for improvement in St Asaph, after becoming bishop here in 1669. He donated £12, a large sum at the time, for construction of the almshouses which still stand at the bottom of St Asaph High Street and are named in his honour. The almshouses provided accommodation for eight poor widows from nearby parishes, as you can read on our page about the building.
The inscription on his grave notes that he died, aged 67, in the 11th year of his “translation”, meaning his transfer to St Asaph.