Church of St Stephen and St Tathan, Caerwent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Stephen and St Tathan (or Tatheus) |
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"a veritable treasure-house of Roman history"
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| Location | Caerwent, Monmouthshire |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | C13th century |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 19 August 1955 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Perpendicular |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Caerwent and Dinham |
| Deanery | Netherwent |
| Archdeaconry | Monmouth |
| Diocese | Monmouth |
The Church of St Stephen and St Tathan is a historic parish church in Caerwent, Monmouthshire, Wales. Parts of the church building date back to the 13th century. It is thought to be one of the oldest Christian places in the county, and maybe even in all of Wales.
The church is special because it sits inside the walls of an ancient Roman town. It is still used for services today. Because of its historical importance, it is protected as a Grade II* listed building.
Contents
History of the Church
An Ancient Christian Site
It's possible that Christians gathered in Caerwent during the time of the Roman Empire. However, we don't have proof that their meeting place was on the exact spot of the current church.
In 1992, a piece of a pre-Norman cross was found nearby. This discovery suggests that a Christian church existed here even before the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Building and Restoration
The oldest part of the church you can see today is the chancel (the area around the altar). This section was built in the 13th century.
Over the centuries, the church has been repaired and updated. Major restorations took place in 1893–1894 and again from 1910–1912. Today, the church is an active part of the local community.
Architecture and Roman Treasures
The church is built from limestone. Some of the stone came from the local area, while other parts were brought over from Somerset, England.
Inside, the church holds many interesting Roman artifacts. These items were left behind from when Caerwent was a Roman town. One of the most famous items is a stone altar. This altar was dedicated to the Roman god of war, Mars, and dates all the way back to the year 152 AD.
