Church of St Denys, Lisvane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Denys, Lisvane |
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|---|---|
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| 51°32′26″N 3°10′02″W / 51.5406°N 3.1672°W | |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | Saint Isan |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 28 January 1963 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | stone |
| Bells | 3 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Llandaff |
The Church of St Denys is an old church located in Lisvane, a part of Cardiff, Wales. It belongs to the Anglican faith. Even though the church has a long history, most of the building you see today was built in the 1800s.
What's in a Name?
The church is named after Saint Denys. This name might sound like Saint Denis, a famous saint from Paris. However, the name 'Denys' here is actually a local, shorter version of 'Dionysius'. This was the Latin name for Saint Isan, an important early saint in Wales.
How Old is the Church?
No one knows the exact date when the Church of St Denys was first built. Experts believe it started around the same time as St Isan's Church in nearby Llanishen. This would mean it was founded around the 6th century, which is over 1400 years ago!
The very first church building was probably made from wood or other materials that didn't last long. This was common for churches back then. Stone churches became more popular later, especially during the Norman period in England. At that time, St Denys was a small 'chapel of ease'. This meant it was a smaller church that helped people who lived far from the main church in Cardiff.
Changes Over Time
Most of the church building you see today was built in the 14th century. Over hundreds of years, the church slowly fell into disrepair. By the 1840s, it was almost falling apart, and very few people attended services there.
However, things started to change in the late 1800s. Lisvane began to grow and become a busier area. In 1878, people decided to fix up the church. An architect named Edwin Seward led a big project to restore and improve the building.
More changes happened in the 1920s and 1930s. Then, in 1979, the entire church was reorganized and made bigger. The altar, which is a special table used in services, was moved. The choir, who sing during services, was placed in the old sanctuary area.
Today, only a few parts of the church are from the original Norman period. These include the walls of the tower and the southern doorway.
Special Status
The Church of St Denys is considered a very important historical building. In 1963, it was given a "Grade II* Listed" status. This means it's a building of special interest and needs to be protected.
