St Dunawd's Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Dunawd's Church |
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St Dunawd's Church in Bangor-on-Dee
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| OS grid reference | SJ 388,454 |
| Location | Bangor-on-Dee, Wrexham County Borough |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Dunawd |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Architect(s) | Richard Trubshaw, John Douglas |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Completed | 1913 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brick and stone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bangor Monachorum, Worthenbury and Marchwiel |
| Deanery | Dee Valley |
| Archdeaconry | Wrexham |
| Diocese | St Asaph |
| Province | Church in Wales |
St Dunawd's Church is a special old church located in the village of Bangor-on-Dee, which is in Wrexham County Borough, Wales. It's recognized by Cadw as a Grade II* listed building, meaning it's a very important historical place. This church is still active today and is part of the Anglican faith, serving the local community in the Dee Valley area, under the diocese of St Asaph.
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A Look at the Church's Past
This church stands on a very old site. Around the year 560, a monastery was started here by St Dunawd, who was its first leader. Sadly, this monastery was destroyed around 616 by a king named Æthelfrith of Northumbria. During this attack, many monks were killed, and only a few managed to escape. Today, there are no signs left of that ancient monastery.
Building the Church
Around the year 1300, a new church made of sandstone was built on the same spot. Part of this old building, called the chancel, is still standing today.
Changes Over the Years
The church has been updated many times:
- Between 1723 and 1726, Richard Trubshaw helped restore the church, including its bell tower.
- In 1832, the north aisle was changed.
- In 1860, a famous architect named John Douglas got married in this church.
- In 1868, John Douglas worked on restoring the church. He made the south aisle bigger to create a special area for baptisms. He also restored the chancel.
- Douglas did more work in 1877, adding a porch with a unique half-timbered style.
- Finally, in 1913, a vestry (a room for clergy) was built, and the organ was moved to a new spot.
What the Church Looks Like Inside and Out
The church tower is built using both brick and stone. It has round openings for the bells and decorative urn-shaped tops called finials. The chancel has a large window from the 14th century with five sections, and another window on its south wall. The north aisle, which was updated in 1832, has windows in a style called Perpendicular.
Inside the Church
Inside, you can see many interesting features:
- The church's stalls (seats) and rails were added in 1868.
- The pews (benches) and the pulpit (where sermons are given) were put in place in 1877.
- The pulpit is beautifully carved with patterns and sunflower designs.
- The organ screen, designed by John Douglas, was moved in 1913.
- The cover for the font was designed by Evelyn Wybergh.
- An old reredos (a decorative screen behind the altar) from 1725 is now at the west end of the church.
- There's also a brass lectern (a stand for reading) that remembers three brothers who died in the First World War.
The Church Bells
The church has a set of six bells. Four of these bells were made in 1727 by Abraham Rudhall II. One was made in 1811 by John Rudhall, and the last one was made in 1865 by Mears and Stainbank.
Graves in the Churchyard
The churchyard is also home to six war graves. These graves are for soldiers who died in wars and are looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Five of the graves are from World War I, and they include three brothers from the Ormrod family. One grave is for an officer from the King's Shropshire Light Infantry who died in World War II.
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