St James's Church, Rudry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St James, Rudry |
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St James's
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| 51°34′19″N 3°09′57″W / 51.572°N 3.1657°W | |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | c.1254 |
| Dedication | St James the Great |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 28 March 1963 |
| Style | English Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone |
| Bells | 3 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Rudry |
| Deanery | Bassaleg |
| Archdeaconry | Newport |
| Diocese | Diocese of Monmouth |
St James's Church, Rudry is an old and important Anglican church. It is located in the small village of Rudry in Wales. This church belongs to the Diocese of Monmouth.
Contents
History of St James's Church
St James's Church has a very long and interesting history. It started out as a special place for travelers and religious people.
When Was the Church Built?
The church was first set up around the middle of the 13th century. This was possibly in the year 1254. Back then, it was a wayside shrine. This means it was a small, holy place where pilgrims (people on a religious journey) could stop and pray.
By 1295, there was a proper church building here. It was a chapel of ease for the main church in Bedwas, called St Barrwg. A chapel of ease is like a smaller church that helps people who live far from the main parish church. St James's stayed connected to Bedwas for a very long time, over 600 years! It became its own separate church in 1914.
Who Ran the Church?
From 1254, the Bishop of Llandaff had the power to choose the priest for Rudry. This continued until 1920. The church has kept detailed records of its activities since 1627. These records help us learn about the past.
Famous Visitors and Local Stories
There's a local story that Oliver Cromwell once hid in St James's Church. This was during the English Civil War. While there's no strong proof, we do know that King Charles I stayed nearby at Ruperra Castle.
In the late 1700s, a priest named Father William Price worked at St James's. His son, also named William Price, was baptized here in 1800. He later became a famous Welsh druid.
Keeping the Church Special
St James's Church has been cared for over many years to keep it in good condition.
Restoration Work
The church was repaired and improved in 1885 by an architect named John Prichard. In 1963, it was given a 'Grade II listed' status. This means it's an important historic building that needs to be protected. The church tower was also fixed up in the early 2010s.
The Churchyard and Memorials
The area around the church, called the churchyard, is also important. It has some special memorials.
War Memorials
There are two memorials in the churchyard from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. These mark the graves of two soldiers who died in World War I.
- Private David John Jones of the Australian Infantry died in September 1918. He was 34 years old.
- Gunner Walter James Moses of the Royal Garrison Artillery died in November 1918. He was 27 years old.
Other Important Structures
The main war memorial in the churchyard is also a Grade II listed structure. So are three old stone chest tombs belonging to the Moses family.
