St Madoc's Church, Llanbadoc facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Madoc's Church, Llanbadoc, Monmouthshire |
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| Church of St Madoc | |
Llanbadoc Church where Alfred Russel Wallace was baptized
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 St Madoc's Church, Llanbadoc, Monmouthshire
Location in Monmouthshire
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| 51°41′45″N 2°54′15″W / 51.6959°N 2.9042°W | |
| Location | Llanbadoc, Monmouthshire |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | C14th century |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 18 November 1980 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Llanbadoc |
| Deanery | Raglan/Usk |
| Archdeaconry | Monmouth |
| Diocese | Monmouth |
The Church of St Madoc is a historic church in Llanbadoc, Monmouthshire, Wales. It started being built way back in the 14th century! Today, it's still a busy church for the local community. It's also a very important old building, listed as a Grade II* building. This means it's a special building that needs to be protected because of its history and architecture.
History of St Madoc's Church
The church might have been part of Usk Priory around the 12th century. However, no part of the church building itself is older than the year 1300.
The oldest part we can date for sure is the reredos. This is a decorative screen or wall behind the altar. The main parts of the church, like the nave (where people sit) and the chancel (the area around the altar), might be from the same time.
The church tower and the biggest window in the nave were built in the 15th century. The roof of the nave was likely rebuilt in the early 1700s. This was probably because of damage from a huge storm in 1703, known as the Great Storm of 1703.
In the 1800s, the church got a big makeover. A famous architect named John Prichard almost completely rebuilt the inside of the church.
A local author and artist named Fred Hando wrote about the church's two bells. One bell was made in 1635 and the other in 1677. Did you know that the famous naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace was baptized here in 1823? He was a very important scientist who worked with Charles Darwin on the theory of evolution!
Church Architecture and Design
The church's style is called "Decorated Gothic." This is a type of Gothic design that was popular in the 14th century. It often features detailed stone carvings and large windows with beautiful patterns.
A historian who studies buildings, John Newman, noted this specific style for St Madoc's Church.
