St Mary and All Saints' Church, Conwy facts for kids
The Church of St Mary & All Saints is a very old and important church in Conwy, Wales. It's located in the United Kingdom. This church wasn't always a regular church; it started as a special place called Aberconwy Abbey. This abbey was home to a group of monks called Cistercians.
In 1283, a powerful king named Edward I of England decided to move the abbey to a new place called Maenan. After that, the building in Conwy became the parish church for the local community. Records of the church, like lists of baptisms and weddings, go all the way back to 1541!
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A Look at the Church's Long History
The very first parts of the church were built a long, long time ago. Its foundations were laid in 1172. The original Aberconwy Abbey was finished in 1186. Over hundreds of years, the church has grown and changed a lot.
Early Additions and Changes
Some parts of the church you see today are from its very first days. These include the strong supports on the east and west ends, called buttresses. Parts of the walls, especially on the north side, are also original.
In the 1300s, more sections were added. The lower part of the church's tall tower was built. A part of the church called the South transept was also added. Transepts are like the "arms" of a cross-shaped church. New entrances, called the North and South porches, were also built. A small room north of the tower was used as a charnel house, a place where bones were stored.
Finishing Touches in the 1400s
The 1400s were an important time for the church. The tower was finally completed. A beautiful wooden screen, known as a rood screen, was put inside. This screen separated the main part of the church from the altar area.
The church also received its early Tudor period baptismal font. This is a special basin used for baptisms. You can even see a unique symbol carved into it: an eagle's claw holding a fish. This was the symbol of Sir Richard Pole. He was in charge of Conwy Castle between 1488 and 1504.
Modern Updates and Special Features
In the 1500s, the roofs over the side sections of the church were made taller. Near the altar on the south side, you can find the tomb of Robert Wynne. He was a very generous person who gave a lot of money to St Mary's. He also built a famous house in Conwy called Plas Mawr.
Later, the floor around the altar was raised. In 1872, the roof of the main part of the church, called the nave, was also raised. This work was done by a famous architect named Gilbert Scott. At some point, a window in the south transept was rebuilt. The high windows, called clerestory windows, were also moved to their current spots.
In the 1800s, Lord Penrhyn gave the church its tower clock. In 1921, a special memorial chapel was added to the north side of the church. Five years later, the vestry, a room used by the clergy, was made bigger. In 1949, the old charnel house became the Parish Room, a space for church activities.
The church holds many interesting items from medieval times. It also has two beautiful windows in the south aisle of the nave. These windows were made by Morris & Co., a famous workshop. This workshop was connected to the Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones.
Music and Community
During the summer months, the Church of St Mary & All Saints becomes a lively place for music lovers. It hosts Conwy's Classical Music Festival. This festival features weekly concerts by professional musicians. It's a great way for the community to enjoy beautiful music in a historic setting.
