St Gredifael's Church, Penmynydd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Gredifael's Church |
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| St Gredifael's Church | |
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| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic Church of England |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | St Gredifael |
| Dedication | St Gredifael |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Closed |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 1968 |
| Years built | 6th century |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Penmynydd |
| Diocese | Diocese of Bangor |
St Gredifael's Church is an old church in Penmynydd, Anglesey, Wales. It was first built around the 6th century by Saint Gredifael. The stone building you see today was put up in the 12th century. This church is special because it holds the tomb of Goronwy ap Tudur Hen. He was an important ancestor of the famous Tudor kings of England. The church is also a "Grade II* listed building," which means it's a very important historical site.
Contents
The Church's Long History
The first church was built here in the 6th century. It was founded by Saint Gredifael. A stronger stone building was put up in the 12th century. The church was rebuilt again in the 14th century. Parts like the nave (main area) and chancel (area around the altar) used old Norman carved stones.
Changes Over Time
In the early 15th century, the church got bigger. A new north chapel was added. This chapel later became known as the Tudor chapel. A new porch was also built on the south side. The church was repaired in 1848 and again in 1969. These repairs fixed the upper parts of the walls.
In 2010, there were worries the church might close. It needed money for repairs. Luckily, the Welsh Assembly gave a grant. This money helped keep the church open for a while. However, the church has since closed its doors.
Why It's Important
The church was given "Grade II* listed status" in 1968. This means it's a very special building. It was listed because it's an old medieval church. It also has a beautiful tomb from the late 14th century. The church is also very important because of its strong link to the famous Tudor family.
The Tudor Family Connection
St Gredifael's Church is very connected to the House of Tudor. This is because it's in the village where the Tudor family began. Inside the church, in the north chapel, is a special tomb. It belongs to Goronwy ap Tudur Hen and his wife, Myfanwy Fychan. Goronwy was the great-uncle of Henry VII of England. Henry VII was the first Tudor king.
The Tomb's Journey
Goronwy's tomb was not always at St Gredifael's Church. It was moved here from Llanfaes Friary. This happened after King Henry VIII of England closed many monasteries. People used to believe the tomb's materials had healing powers. Because of this, some parts of the tomb were damaged. For example, the statue of Goronwy is missing its hands. The statue of Myfanwy is missing her fingers.
Tudor Symbols Inside
The church's design celebrates the Tudor family. You can see Tudor Roses in the stained glass windows. There's also a portcullis, which was a symbol of the House of Beaufort. The window has a Welsh saying: "Unity is like a rose on a river bank and like a house of steel on top of a mountain."
The ends of the pews (church benches) have fleur de lys symbols. These refer to Catherine of Valois. She was the wife of Owen Tudor. These symbols also show the Tudor family's claim to the French throne. In 2007, Charles, Prince of Wales, visited the church. He is a descendant of the Tudor family.
