Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride, Amlwch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride |
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Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride
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| Location | Amlwch, Anglesey |
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1932 (construction started) |
| Dedication | St Mary (Our Lady, Star of the Sea) and St Winefride |
| Consecrated | 1937 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 12 December 2000 |
| Architect(s) | Giuseppe Rinvolucri |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Reinforced concrete |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Amlwch |
| Deanery | Caernarfon Deanery |
| Archdiocese | Archdiocese of Cardiff |
| Diocese | Diocese of Wrexham |
Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride is a Roman Catholic church in Amlwch, a town on the island of Anglesey, north Wales. It was built in the 1930s. An Italian architect named Giuseppe Rinvolucri designed it using reinforced concrete.
The church looks like an upturned boat. This design shows respect for Amlwch's history as a port town. It is dedicated to Our Lady, Star of the Sea (a special name for St Mary) and St Winefride, a Welsh saint.
This church is a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a "particularly important building of more than special interest." Experts call it a "remarkable inter-war church" with a "highly unusual and experimental design."
Contents
About This Special Church
Where is Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride?
The church is located on the A5025 road, about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) west of Amlwch. Amlwch is a town on the north coast of Anglesey, Wales. The church is dedicated to St Mary (under the title Our Lady, Star of the Sea) and to St Winefride. St Winefride was a Welsh noblewoman from the 7th century.
How the Church Was Built
Building the church started in 1932 when the foundations were dug. It was finished and officially opened in 1937. The architect was Giuseppe Rinvolucri. He was an Italian engineer from Piedmont who moved to Conwy, north Wales. He specialized in designing Roman Catholic churches.
The church is made of reinforced concrete. Its design looks like an upturned boat, which is a "nautical theme." This design was chosen on purpose to reflect Amlwch's history as a port town by the sea. The church has six concrete "ribs" on the outside, like the frame of a boat. Between these ribs, there are round windows, just like portholes on a ship.
Restoring the Church
Over time, the weather damaged the church's concrete. Because of this, the church had to close in 2004. For a while, it looked like the church might even be torn down.
However, people launched an appeal to raise money for repairs. They needed about £1.2 to £1.4 million. Many groups and individuals donated. For example, Cadw (the Welsh Government's heritage body) gave £150,000 in 2007. The National Churches Trust also gave £10,000 in 2010.
After a lot of hard work and fundraising, the church reopened on May 1, 2011. A special Mass was held by the Bishop of Wrexham, Edwin Regan.
Inside the Church
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The concrete ribs you see on the outside are also visible inside the building. Between them, there are patterns of lights and colorful marble panels on the lower walls.
The main entrance is at the south end of the church. You reach it by climbing some stone steps. Above the door, there is a star-shaped window made of mosaic. A stone cross sits at the very top of the front of the church.
The altar inside the church was replaced in 1995 and again when the church reopened in 2011. A carved crucifix, brought from a former convent in Liverpool, was also placed there.
Why This Church is So Special
Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride is a Grade II* listed building. This means it's considered one of the most important buildings in Wales. It was given this special status in 2000 because it's a "remarkable inter-war church."
Experts describe it as "striking and individual." They say its "highly unusual and experimental design" uses the qualities of concrete to create a "powerfully expressive religious building."
One guide called it "a very impressive building" and "surely the most unusual church in Anglesey." Another guide described it as "a piece of Italian architectural daring." The Twentieth Century Society has called it "a rare and unique church." They noted its "highly individual interpretation of its seaside setting" and its "strikingly modern" design.
Even when the church was closed for repairs, the heritage writer Simon Jenkins said it was worth visiting just to see the outside. He mentioned its "sweeping parabolic arches, perhaps inspired by airship hangars or by upturned boats in Amlwch harbour." He also said, "This church must be saved."
