All Saints' Church, Cellan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church |
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All Saints' Church (2013)
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| Location | Cellan, Llanfair Clydogau |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 6 March 1964 |
| Architectural type | Medieval |
| Administration | |
| Archdeaconry | Cardigan |
| Diocese | St Davids |
All Saints' Church in Cellan is a special local church that belongs to the Church in Wales. Cellan is a small place about 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Lampeter in Wales. This church is a very important building. It's called a Grade II* listed building because parts of it are really old, from the Middle Ages. It's part of a group of churches called the United Benefice of Lampeter.
A Look at the Church's Past
All Saints' Church was built a very long time ago, around the 1200s or 1300s. Some people think it might even be built on top of an ancient burial mound from the Bronze Age! It was probably first named after a saint called Saint Callwen.
One of the oldest parts still inside is its font, which is a stone basin used for baptisms. It has a cool square shape. Over the years, the church has had some small changes and repairs. For example, its roof used to be made of straw (thatched), but in the 1600s, it was changed to slate.
In 1810, there was a special wooden screen inside called a rood loft. This was a common feature in old churches. However, it's not there anymore. It might have been taken out during a big repair project in the 1860s.
What the Church Looks Like
The church is built from rough stone and has a slate roof. It has a main hall called a nave and a smaller area near the altar called a chancel. Both of these parts are thought to be from the 1200s or 1300s.
On the west side, there's a small bell tower designed by an architect named Herbert Luck North. There's also a room on the north side called a vestry and a porch on the south side.
Inside, the church is quite unique. It's known for its "Arts and Crafts" style, which is a special way of designing things that focuses on handmade beauty. The ceilings were added during North's repairs in 1908. They are made of white wooden boards and are decorated with beautiful paintings of flowers and vines. You can even see a symbolic lamb painted on the chancel ceiling.
Helping the Church with Funding
In 2018, All Saints' Church received a special grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This money was really important because it helped pay for necessary repairs to keep the old building in good shape.
