Church of St Margaret Marloes, Eglwyscummin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Margaret Marloes |
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| Location | Eglwyscummin, Carmarthenshire |
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Founded | Medieval |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 30 November 1966 |
| Architectural type | Church |
The Church of St Margaret Marloes is a special church in Eglwyscummin, a small area in southwestern Carmarthenshire, Wales. It belongs to the Church in Wales. The church you see today was built a long time ago, in the 1300s and 1400s. It was repaired in 1878 and again in 1900. Its churchyard is round, which is a sign that people might have used this spot even before recorded history! A very old tombstone from the 400s was found here. People think a saint named Cynin started the church in the 400s as a place to teach about Christianity.
Contents
Discovering the Church's History
The Church of St Margaret Marloes has a long and interesting past. It's a small building located in a dip in the land. In 1710, people said it was falling apart. It has a special roof from the 1700s. Inside, you can see beautiful stained glass windows. There is also a large, carved oak altar and other church items from 1882.
Who Was Margaret Marloes?
The church is named after Margaret Marloes. She was the niece of Guy de Brian, who was a powerful lord in Laugharne during the 1300s. There's a statue of Margaret from the 1300s. It used to be outside in the churchyard. But in 1902, it was moved inside the church. This was done to protect it because it was getting worn away by the weather.
The Mystery of the Ogham Stone
Before 1900, a special stone called an Ogham stone was found in the churchyard. Ogham is an ancient alphabet used in Ireland and Britain. The words on this stone are in both Latin and an old Celtic language. What makes it unique is that it uses the word "ingenia" instead of the Latin word "filia," which means "daughter." This type of writing was common in Ireland. But when this stone was found, it was the only example like it outside of Ireland.
Restoring the Old Church
Around 1900, Eglwyscummin was a small country area with about 240 people. The church needed urgent repairs, but there wasn't enough money to fix it.
Getting Help for Repairs
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings stepped in to help. They looked at the church to figure out how much the repairs would cost. An appeal for money was then made. This request was published in a journal called Archaeologica Cambrensis. The local bishop agreed to this plan.
Uncovering Older Secrets
During the examination, experts realized that the church building was at least from the 1200s. It was hard to figure out the exact age because the church didn't have many fancy decorations. While looking closely, they found some interesting things. There was a small square opening on the north wall of the main part of the church. They also found a partially buried arch in the south wall. These discoveries suggest that there might have been an even older church building underneath the current one! The needed repairs were finished in 1901.
A Protected Landmark
The Church of St Margaret Marloes is a very important historical building. On November 30, 1966, it was given a special status. It became a Grade I-listed building. This means it's considered a building of exceptional interest.
Why is it Grade I Listed?
It's listed because it's a great example of a small medieval church. It has a special vaulted nave (the main part of the church) and porch. It's also a notable example of the Arts and Crafts movement. This was a design style from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The church's restoration was connected to a famous architect named Philip Webb. The church also has amazing interior fittings and stained glass windows.
Other Protected Features
Even the cross in the churchyard is special! On December 1, 2001, it became a Grade II listed building. This means it's also a building of special interest.
