Church of St Mary and St Michael, Llanarth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary and St Michael, Llanarth, Monmouthshire |
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| St Mary's and St Michael's Church | |
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| Location | Llanarth, Monmouthshire |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Roman Catholic church |
| Founded | c.1790 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 9 January 1956 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Cardiff-Menevia |
The Church of St Mary and St Michael in Llanarth, Monmouthshire, was once a private chapel for the Llanarth Court family. It was the first Roman Catholic church built in this area since the 1500s. At that time, many churches were closed down during a period called the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Built around 1790, the church was made to look like a barn or a greenhouse. This was done to avoid problems because being Catholic was not fully accepted in Britain at that time. Many people think it's one of the oldest Catholic churches in Wales.
History of the Church
After the Reformation, a big change in religion in England, many people in Monmouthshire, especially in the north, secretly continued to practice the Catholic faith. The Jones family, who lived at Llanarth Court, were a long-standing Catholic family. They had supported a priest at Llanarth since 1781.
By the late 1700s, the family's private chapel at Llanarth Court was too small for all the people who wanted to worship there. So, the family decided to build a larger church on their land. It is believed that the building was disguised to look like a tool-shed, barn, or even a greenhouse. This was to keep it from looking like a church, as Catholics faced challenges at the time.
Changes After 1829
In 1829, a new law called the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 was passed. This law made it easier for Catholics to practice their faith openly. After this, the Herbert family, who then owned Llanarth Court, felt more comfortable showing their Catholic beliefs. They extended the church and added many decorations inside.
In 1947, the last Herbert family member to live at Llanarth Court, Fflorens Roch, gave the Court and the church to the Dominican Order. This group of priests and brothers then ran a school in the buildings. After the school closed in 1986, the church became the responsibility of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cardiff. Today, St Mary and St Michael is still known as one of the oldest Catholic churches in Wales.
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of St Mary and St Michael is a long, single-story building. It is covered in white plaster, which gives it a smooth, bright look. An expert in architecture, John Newman, noted that its design made it look like a greenhouse, which was probably the plan.
The church has six round windows on its west side. At the western end, there is a small, rounded section called an apse. There is also a room that sticks out, known as a vestry, which is often used by priests to prepare for services. Inside, you can see many original decorations from the 1800s. The church also has beautiful stained glass windows, with some pieces dating back to the 1500s and others from more recent times.
