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 very old church located in Caerwent, Monmouthshire, in Wales. It was first built around the 13th century, which makes it one of the oldest Christian places in the area, and maybe even in all of Wales! This church is special because it stands inside the walls of an ancient Roman town. Today, it is still an active church and is recognized as a Grade II* listed building, meaning it's a very important historic site.
Contents
A Journey Through Time: The Church's History
Imagine a time when Romans lived in Britain! It's possible that early Christians met for worship in Caerwent during the Roman period. While we don't have proof they met exactly where the church is now, we do know Christianity was present.
Clues from the Past
In 1992, something amazing was found near the church: a cross-head from before the Norman Conquest. This discovery tells us that a Christian church was likely here even before the Normans arrived in 1066. The oldest part of the church we see today is the chancel, which dates back to the 1200s.
Keeping History Alive
Over the years, the church has been carefully looked after. It was restored, or repaired and updated, in the late 1800s and early 1900s by an architect named G. E. Halliday. Even today, the Church of St Stephen and St Tathan is a busy church for the local community. It's also protected as a Grade II* listed building, showing how important it is to Welsh history.
What's Inside? Architecture and Roman Treasures
The Church of St Stephen and St Tathan is built using limestone. Some of this stone came from the local area, while other pieces were brought all the way from Somerset, a county in England.
Ancient Roman Finds
One of the most exciting things about this church is that it holds many ancient Roman objects. These items were found right here in Caerwent, which was once a Roman town called Venta Silurum. Among these treasures is an altar dedicated to Mars, the Roman god of war. This altar dates back to AD 152, giving us a direct link to the Roman people who lived here nearly 2,000 years ago!
