All Saints' Church, Oystermouth facts for kids
All Saints' Church, Oystermouth is an old and important church located in Mumbles, a town in South Wales. It's part of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, which is a church area. This church is a special building because it's a Grade II listed building. This means it's officially recognized as a historic place that needs to be protected because of its unique design and history. The church sits on a hill, not far from the historic Oystermouth Castle.
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Discovering All Saints' Church
All Saints' Church is a fascinating place with a long history. It has been around for many centuries and has seen many changes.
The Church's Long History
People believe that the church was first built in the middle of the 1100s. The first time it was ever written about was in the year 1141. When it was first built, the church had a tower on its west side, a main hall called a nave, and a smaller area for the altar called a chancel. The original nave is now used as the south aisle of the church.
Over the years, the church has been changed and added to.
- In the 1800s, a porch was built on the north side.
- In 1873, a special room for the organ and a vestry (a room for clergy to get ready) were added. These were designed by an architect named Richard Kyrke Penson.
- The church was greatly rebuilt in 1915. During this time, a new nave and chancel were added. A new north aisle was also built.
- The old chancel became a special area called the Lady Chapel.
- In 1937, beautiful oak panels for the altar in the Lady Chapel were carved by a Reverend named J. D. Davies.
Special Stained Glass Windows
The church has some beautiful stained glass windows. One window is very special because it remembers a sad event called the Mumbles lifeboat disaster of 1947. This window shows brave lifeboatmen at work. It was designed by Glantawe Studios and put into the church in 1977. Outside in the churchyard, there are also memorials that remember the eight members of the Mumbles lifeboat crew who lost their lives in that incident.
A Notable Grave in the Churchyard
In the churchyard, you can find the grave of an interesting person named Thomas Bowdler. He was an English doctor and editor who passed away in Swansea in 1825. He is known for editing books and plays to remove parts he thought were inappropriate.
