St Mary and All Saints' Church, Conwy facts for kids
The Church of St Mary & All Saints is a very old church in Conwy, Wales, which is part of the United Kingdom. It started out as a monastery called Aberconwy Abbey, built by a group of monks known as Cistercians. In 1283, King Edward I of England decided to move the monks to a new place called Maenan Abbey. The church's records, which show important events like births and deaths, go all the way back to 1541!
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Discovering St Mary & All Saints Church
This church has a long and interesting story, full of changes and additions over hundreds of years. It's not just a place of worship; it's also a piece of history you can explore.
A Church with a Long History
The very first parts of the church were built around 1172. The original monastery, Aberconwy Abbey, was finished in 1186. Over time, the church grew bigger and changed its look. Some of the oldest parts, like the strong supports (called buttresses) at the east and west ends, and some of the walls on the north side, are still there from the beginning.
How the Church Grew Over Time
In the 1300s, new sections were added. The lower part of the church's tall tower was built. A part of the church called the South transept (which looks like the arm of a cross shape) was also added. New entrances, called porches, were built on both the north and south sides. A small room north of the tower was used as a charnel house, a place to keep bones.
The 1400s brought even more changes. The tower was finally completed, reaching its full height. A beautiful wooden screen, known as a rood screen, was put in place. This screen often separated the main part of the church from the altar area. A special bowl for baptisms, called a baptismal font, was also added during this time. It even has a special symbol, an eagle's claw holding a fish, which belonged to Sir Richard Pole. He was in charge of Conwy Castle between 1488 and 1504.
Important People and Features
In the 1500s, the roofs over the side sections of the church were made taller. Near the altar, you can find the tomb of Robert Wynne. He was a very generous person who gave a lot of money to St Mary's Church. He also built a famous old house in Conwy called Plas Mawr.
Later, the floor near the altar was raised. In 1872, a famous architect named Gilbert Scott made the main roof of the church taller. Some of the windows were also moved or rebuilt to where they are today. In the 1800s, a clock for the tower was given to the church by Lord Penrhyn.
Special Art and Objects
In 1921, a special chapel was added to the north side of the church to remember people. 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 that are very old, some from medieval times. You can also see two beautiful windows in the south aisle of the main part of the church. These windows were made by a company called Morris & Co.. This company was connected to the Pre-Raphaelite artists, like Edward Burne-Jones, who created amazing art.
Music at the Church
During the summer months, the Church of St Mary & All Saints becomes a place for music lovers. It hosts the Conwy Classical Music Festival. This festival features weekly concerts by professional musicians, offering a chance to enjoy beautiful music in a historic setting.
