Church of St Thomas à Becket, Wolvesnewton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Thomas à Becket, Monmouthshire |
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| Church of St Thomas à Becket | |
The church with the war memorial cross in the centre
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| Location | Wolvesnewton, Monmouthshire |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | c.13th century |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 19 August 1955 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Wolvesnewton |
| Deanery | Raglan/Usk |
| Archdeaconry | Monmouth |
| Diocese | Monmouth |
The Church of Saint Thomas à Becket is a historic church in Wolvesnewton, Monmouthshire, Wales. It was first built around the 13th century. Later, it was carefully fixed up in the 1800s. Today, it is still an active church for the local community. This church is a very important building, listed as a Grade II* listed building. The old cross in its churchyard, from the Middle Ages, was also fixed up in 1920 to remember those who died in the First World War. It is also a Grade II* listed building.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: The Church's History
The first time we find a record of this church is in 1254. The window on the west side of the church tower is from this early time.
How the Church Was Restored
A famous architect named John Norton worked on the church. He led a big rebuilding project between 1855 and 1857. Even after all these years, the church is still an active parish church. It belongs to the Raglan-Usk deanery.
What the Church Looks Like: Architecture and Design
The church is built using strong blocks of Old red sandstone. Its roof is made from Welsh slate. Because of its special design and history, the entire church is listed as a Grade II* building. This means it is a very important historic place.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church is quite simple. Its walls are painted white. Most of the decorations you see today were added during the Victorian era. Experts have different ideas about John Norton's work. Some, like the historian John Newman, think his changes were "drastic" or very big. Others, like Cadw (the Welsh government's historic environment service), believe it was a "sensitive restoration." This means they think he fixed it up carefully without changing its original feel too much.
Beautiful Stained Glass Windows
The church has some beautiful stained glass windows from the 20th century. John Newman thinks these windows were made to remember people who died in World War II. Cadw also mentions this. However, another group, the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, has a different idea. They believe the windows were made to remember a member of the Hood family from Tredean House, Devauden. Everyone agrees that the windows were made by the company of Thomas W. Camm. Most of the work was done by Camm's daughter, Florence.
The Old Churchyard Cross
In the churchyard, there is a very old cross. It was probably made in the 15th century, during the Middle Ages. Around 1920, this cross was rebuilt. It became a special memorial to remember the local people who died in the First World War. The bottom part of the cross and the very top cross piece were added in the 20th century. But the main pole (the shaft) and two of the steps are still the original medieval parts. The whole cross is made from limestone. It is also a Grade II* listed building, just like the church itself.
Images for kids
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The churchyard cross
