Church of St Thomas a Becket, Shirenewton facts for kids
The Church of St Thomas a Becket is a very old church located in a place called Shirenewton in Monmouthshire, Wales. It's named after a famous person from history, Thomas Becket, who was a very important church leader. He was killed in 1170 and later declared a saint.
The land where the church stands was owned by Henry de Bohun in the late 1100s. His son, Humphrey de Bohun, built the church around the year 1220. A long time ago, in 1399, a writer named Adam of Usk was one of the first known rectors, which is like the main priest, at this church. The church is also a "Grade II listed" building, which means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected. This happened on August 19, 1955. Today, church services are usually held on Sundays at 9:45 AM.
Exploring the Church's Design
Much of the church you see today, including its strong tower, the choir area (where singers might sit), the chancel (the part near the altar), and the nave (the main part where people sit), was first built in the 1200s. This means it's over 800 years old! The church was partly rebuilt and fully fixed up in 1853 to keep it in good condition.
Special Features and Memories
Inside the church, there is a special monument to Ian Oswald Liddell. He was a brave soldier who won the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for bravery in the British military, during the Second World War. Ian Oswald Liddell was the grandson of Sir Charles Oswald Liddell, who lived at Shirenewton Hall nearby.
The church also has a clock with four faces, so you can tell the time from different directions. This clock was put in place after the First World War. More recently, a special grant from the Millennium Commission helped pay for bright floodlights. These lights make the church glow beautifully at night.
