Priory Church of St Mary, Usk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Priory Church of St Mary, Usk |
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| Priory Church of St Mary, Usk | |
Priory Church of St Mary
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| 51°42′08″N 2°53′56″W / 51.7021°N 2.8988°W | |
| Location | Usk, Monmouthshire |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 1 April 1974 |
| Style | Perpendicular |
| Years built | 12th century onwards |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area |
| Diocese | Monmouth |
The Priory Church of St Mary is a very old and important church in Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales. It started as part of a Benedictine nunnery, which was a home for nuns. This nunnery was built by Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke in the 1100s.
Later, in the 1500s, when many monasteries were closed down (this was called the Dissolution of the Monasteries), the church became the main church for the town of Usk. It has been repaired and updated several times, especially in the mid-1800s and again around 1900. Because of its history and beauty, it was named a Grade I listed building in 1974. This means it's a very special historic building.
Contents
Discovering the Church's History
The land where the church stands today doesn't show signs of a church being there before the Normans arrived. The first church building here was likely a Norman church. It was connected to Usk Castle and stood where the western part of the church is now.
How the Nunnery Began
Before he passed away in 1176, a nobleman named Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke started a Benedictine nunnery on this site. Nuns are women who dedicate their lives to religious service.
Adding Space for the Town
In the 1200s, an extra section called the North aisle was added. This part was built for the people of Usk to worship in. It was separated from the nuns' private areas by a screen. This allowed both the nuns and the townspeople to use the same church building.
New Porches and Updates
During the 1400s, two impressive two-story porches were added to the North and West sides of the church. These porches were built in a style called Perpendicular, which was popular at the time. It's thought that Sir William Herbert might have built them. He was also building the grand Raglan Castle nearby.
Becoming the Town's Church
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the late 1530s, the nunnery closed. The church then became the official parish church for the town of Usk.
Modern Repairs and Changes
The church has been greatly restored and changed over the years. In 1884, an architect named Thomas Henry Wyatt worked on it. He added a roof over the area near the tower to create a sanctuary, which is a holy place. He also made the main part of the church, called the nave, longer. More restoration work happened in 1899–1900. During this time, G E Halliday put in new windows and replaced the roofs of the nave and aisle.
The Church Organ's Journey
The church has a wonderful organ that was built in 1861 by a company called Gray and Davison. This organ was first made for Llandaff Cathedral based on ideas from Sir Frederick Gore Ouseley, a famous musician.
A Grand Organ Moves Home
The organ cost £1094 to build and worked well at Llandaff Cathedral for 37 years. However, by the end of the 1800s, the cathedral felt it needed an even bigger organ. So, the Gray and Davison organ was put up for sale. In 1900, it was moved and set up in Usk. This was done to remember Hely Bennet Rickards, and his parents paid for it.
Priory Gatehouse
The old gatehouse that once led into the Benedictine nunnery still stands today. You can find it at the entrance to the churchyard. It's a reminder of the church's long history as a priory.
