St Eleth's Church, Amlwch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Eleth's Church, Amlwch
St Eleth's Church from the south-east
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OS grid reference	SH 441 929
Location	Amlwch, Anglesey
Country	Wales, United Kingdom
Denomination	Church in Wales
History
Status	Church
Founded	6th century (reputedly)
Founder(s)	St Eleth (reputedly)
Dedication	St Eleth
Consecrated	1800 (current building)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	25 October 1951
Architect(s)	James Wyatt
Style	Neo-classical
Construction cost	£2,500 to £4,000 (c. £130,000 to £208,000 in present-day terms)
Specifications
Materials	Rubble masonry with ashlar dressing
Administration
Parish	Amlwch
Deanery	Twrcelyn
Archdeaconry	Bangor
Diocese	Diocese of Bangor
Province	Province of Wales

St Eleth's Church, Amlwch is a beautiful church built in 1800. It is located in Amlwch, a town on the island of Anglesey in north Wales. The church was designed in the Neo-classical style, which means it looks a bit like ancient Greek or Roman buildings.

This church stands where older churches once were. People believe the very first church here was started by St Elaeth (also known as Eleth) way back in the 6th century. Amlwch grew a lot in the 1700s because of copper mining. More people meant a bigger church was needed!

Today, St Eleth's Church is still used for services. It is part of the Church in Wales and is one of four churches in the Amlwch area. It's also a special building, known as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's considered "particularly important" because it keeps its original Neo-classical look.

History of St Eleth's Church

Early Beginnings and Growth

The story of St Eleth's Church begins a very long time ago. It is said that Elaeth, or Eleth, started the first church here in the 6th century. He was a ruler who came to Anglesey after losing his power. He settled at St Seiriol's monastery in Penmon.

Amlwch became a busy and rich town in the 1700s. This happened after copper mining started at nearby Parys Mountain in 1768. As the town grew, the old church became too small for everyone.

Building the New Church

Plans for a new church began in 1787. Thomas Williams, who was known as "the Copper King," offered a lot of money to help. The Copper Mines Company provided most of the funds needed. Other important people, like Henry Paget and Reverend Edward Hughes, also gave donations.

The famous architect James Wyatt designed the new church. Construction started, and the church was finished and opened in 1800. The cost of building it was between £2,500 and £4,000.

Changes Over Time

The new church was built on the same spot as the older ones. It is located on the east side of Queen Street in the town centre. Over the years, some changes were made inside the church.

In 1867, an architect named Henry Kennedy made some updates. He added decorative patterns to the windows and put in new arches. Later, in 1999 and 2000, more restoration work took place. A gallery was added at the back, along with a special area for baptisms and meeting rooms.

The Church Today

St Eleth's Church is still an active place of worship. It is part of the Church in Wales. The Amlwch parish includes three other churches nearby: St Eilian, St Gwenllwyfo, and St Tyfrydog. As of 2012, the priest in charge was H. V. Jones.

Design and Features

Architectural Style

The main style of St Eleth's Church is Neo-classical. This means it has features inspired by ancient Greek and Roman buildings. However, it also has some elements of Gothic design.

The church is built from local stone. The roof is made of slate.

The Tower and Bells

At the front of the church, on the west side, there is a tall tower. This tower holds a clock and a bell-chamber. You can see large arched windows on the tower. At the top, it has a parapet with pointed decorations called pinnacles at each corner.

The church has two bells. One bell is very old, dating back to 1687. The other bell was made in 1820. The main entrance, an arched doorway, is also part of the tower. Above the doorway, there is a round window.

Inside the Church

Inside, the church has a main area called the nave. A narrower section, called the chancel, was added in the 1800s. This created a chapel area at the east end. Arches were also added in the nave to create side aisles. The ceiling inside is smooth and plastered.

The east window has beautiful stained glass from the 1800s. You can also find memorial stones inside, many of which came from the older churches that stood on this site.

Other Features

The church has an organ from the 1800s. It is located in a gallery at the west end, which was added during the restoration work in 1999 and 2000. The font, used for baptisms, dates from 1900.

Outside the church, there is a large lychgate at the west side of the churchyard. This gate is from the early 1800s. The gravestones in the churchyard have been moved to the sides, possibly to make maintenance easier.

Why St Eleth's Church is Important

Listed Building Status

St Eleth's Church is a Grade II* listed building. This is the second-highest level of protection for historic buildings in the UK. It means the church is considered "particularly important" and has "more than special interest." It received this status on October 25, 1951.

It was listed because it is a "substantially Neo-classical church" that still looks much like it did when it was first built. Cadw, the Welsh government body that looks after historic buildings, notes that later changes did not hide the original design. They also say the church is important because of its connection to the copper mining history of the area.

The lychgate outside the church is also a listed building, at Grade II. This is because it's a good example of an early 19th-century lychgate and fits well with the church.

What People Say About the Church

People have admired St Eleth's Church for a long time. In the 1800s, a Welsh historian named Angharad Llwyd called it a "spacious handsome structure." Samuel Lewis, another writer from that time, used very similar words. He especially liked the "lofty square embattled tower crowned with pinnacles."

A guide to buildings in north Wales from 2009 says that the inside of the church "possesses considerable grace." A 2006 guide to Anglesey churches described it as a "good example of a tastefully restored church" and a "spacious, high sided building with an impressive tower." It also noted that the church's shape is unusual for churches on the island.