St Elli Church, Llanelli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Elli Church |
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| 51°41′01″N 4°09′40″W / 51.6837°N 4.1611°W | |
| Location | Bridge Street, Llanelli |
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| History | |
| Founded | Medieval, possibly 15th century |
| Dedication | Saint Elli |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 30 November 1964 |
| Architectural type | Church |
St Elli Church, also known as St Ellyw's Church, is an important Anglican church in Llanelli, Wales. It is dedicated to Saint Elli. This historic church was built a long time ago, possibly in the 1400s. You can find it on Bridge Street, right across from Llanelly House. It was recognized as a special "Grade II*-listed building" on November 30, 1964, because of its unique history and design.
Contents
Church History
Early Beginnings
St Elli Church has a very long history. It was first mentioned in old papers from the 1000s. This means it has been a church for over 900 years!
In the 1200s, a powerful person called the Lord of Kidwelly decided who would be the priest. After he passed away, the King or Queen took over this role. Later, in the late 1300s, John of Gaunt was allowed to collect money for the church. Before the Protestant Reformation, which was a big change in the church in the 1500s, there were four smaller chapels connected to this main church.
The Church Building
Design and Age
The church building itself dates back to the medieval period, possibly the 1400s. The oldest part is the tall tower on the west side. Most of the rest of the church was added much later, between 1905 and 1906. This work was done by a famous architect named George Frederick Bodley from London.
What It's Made Of
The church is built from rough, rocky stones. It has pretty red sandstone decorations around the windows and doors. The roofs are made of green slate tiles, and the edges of the roof have stone caps. There's a cool eight-sided chimney between the two main roof sections. You'll also see a large entrance porch on the south side.
Special Features
The tower has a special top edge called a "corbelled parapet." There's a clock about halfway up the south side of the tower. On the north side, there's a square part that holds the stairs inside the tower.
A Protected Building
St Elli Church was officially named a "Grade II*-listed building" on November 30, 1964. This means it's considered very important and special. It was given this high rating because of its amazing inside features, including its old furniture and important monuments. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales keeps records about this church. These records include digital photos and files about its history and design.
