St Cadfan's Church, Tywyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Cadfan's Church (Tywyn) |
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St Cadfan's Church
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| 52°35′17″N 4°05′07″W / 52.5880°N 4.0853°W | |
| Location | Tywyn, Gwynedd |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Anglican (Church in Wales) |
| Previous denomination | Catholic Church (ended mid-16th century) |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | Saint Cadfan |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Medieval masons |
| Style | Romanesque Architecture |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Tywyn |
| Deanery | Ystumaner |
| Archdeaconry | Meirionnydd |
| Diocese | Diocese of Bangor |
| Province | Wales |
St Cadfan's Church (Welsh: Eglwys Cadfan) is a very old church located in Tywyn, Gwynedd, Wales. It is named after Saint Cadfan, who started a special religious community there in the 6th century. This church is famous for its ancient building style and for holding a special stone called the Cadfan Stone.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
St Cadfan's Church has a long and interesting past. The earliest parts of the building that we see today were built in the 12th century.
Early Days and Challenges
Records show that the church was attacked by Vikings in the year 963. This was a time when Vikings often raided coastal areas. Later, in the 12th century, a famous Welsh poet named Llywelyn Fardd (I) even wrote a poem about the church.
The church originally had a tall tower in the middle. However, this tower sadly fell down in 1693.
Special Features of the Church
St Cadfan's Church is known for two very important things: its unique architecture and some ancient monuments inside.
Romanesque Architecture
The church is built in a style called Romanesque Architecture. This style was popular in Europe from the 6th to the 10th centuries. It uses strong, thick walls, round arches, and often has large, solid shapes. It gives the church a very grand and old appearance.
The Cadfan Stone
One of the most important items inside the church is the Cadfan Stone. This is a stone cross that dates back to the 9th century or even earlier. What makes it so special is that it has the oldest known written Welsh words carved into it. It's like a time capsule of the Welsh language!
Ancient Statues and the 'Crying Knight'
Inside the church, you can find two old statues from the 14th century. One statue shows a priest wearing special church clothes. We don't know who this priest was.
The other statue is of a knight, a military figure. People believe it might be Gruffudd ab Adda, who lived around the year 1350. This statue is often called the 'Crying Knight'. This is because there's a small flaw in the stone near his right eye. When the weather is wet, this spot gets damp, making it look like the knight is weeping.
The Old Vicarage
Near the church, on National Street, stands the old vicarage. A vicarage is the house where the local priest (or vicar) used to live. This building was constructed in the early 19th century. Today, it is a private home called 'Tŷ Cadfan Sant'.
National Street used to be called Duck Street. It got its new name from the National School, which was once located there. This school was later known as Towyn Church School.
