Betws Bledrws Church facts for kids
The Church of St Bledrws is a historic church located in the small village of Betws Bledrws. This village is close to Lampeter in Ceredigion, Wales. While the building you see today was built in the 1800s, people believe that churches have stood on this very spot for a very long time, even centuries ago.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
The site where St Bledrws Church stands has a long and interesting past. Records show that an older church was here during the Middle Ages. Back then, it was dedicated to a different saint, St Michael. However, by 1833, the church's dedication had changed to St Bledrws.
Building the Current Church
The tower and spire of the current church were built in 1830. You can even see this date on the weather-vane at the top! Experts think that a famous architect named Charles Robert Cockerell might have designed them. He also built a large house nearby called Derry Ormond House, which is no longer standing. Another idea is that the unique square tower might have been designed by Rees Davies.
The Inglis-Jones Family Connection
For many years, the church was closely linked to the Inglis-Jones family. They were descendants of John Jones, who owned Derry Ormond House. This family helped rebuild the church in 1886. Wilmot Inglis-Jones, who took over the Derry Ormond estate from his brother, even played the organ for many years. He was also the father of a well-known writer, Elisabeth Inglis-Jones.
Special Features Inside the Church
The Church of St Bledrws has some unique and beautiful features inside.
The Ancient Font
One of the oldest parts of the church is its font. The bowl of the font is very old, possibly from around the year 1200. It has special carvings around its top edge that look like an ancient style called Romanesque. This makes it a very interesting piece of history!
Stunning Stained-Glass Windows
The church is also known for its amazing stained-glass windows. These windows were designed by Carl Almquist, a Swedish artist. He worked with a company called Shrigley and Hunt from Lancaster. The windows fill the church with beautiful colored light.
The Church Organ
The organ in the church was a gift from the Inglis-Jones family. It was built in 1900 by a company called Cassons of London.
Records and Community
The church keeps important records, like registers, that date back to 1813. These records help people learn about the past. Today, St Bledrws Church is part of a group of churches. This group includes churches in Lampeter, Maestir, Silian, and Llangybi. They work together to serve their communities.
Nearby Derry Ormond Tower
If you walk along the path from the churchyard, you can see a tall column called Derry Ormond Tower. This tower was built by John Jones, the owner of Derry Ormond. It stands as a landmark in the area.
