St Mary's Church, Caldicot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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|---|---|
| Church of St Mary | |
| St Mary Virgin church | |
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| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| History | |
| Status | active |
| Founder(s) | Walter of Gloucester |
| Dedication | Mary, Mother of Jesus |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 1955 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Rectorial Benefice of Caldicot |
| Deanery | Netherwent |
| Diocese | Diocese of Monmouth |
St Mary's Church, also known as St Mary Virgin Church, is an old parish church in Caldicot, Monmouthshire, Wales. It belongs to the Church in Wales. Some clues suggest the church might be even older than the Norman times. However, the oldest parts we can see today were built in the 1300s. It is a very important building, listed as Grade I.
A Look Back: St Mary's Church History
Records show there was a church here even before the Norman conquest of Wales. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book, a famous survey from 1086. King John of England also mentioned it in a special document. But none of the current church building is from that very early time.
This is because a group called Augustinian canons from Llanthony Secunda built a new church. They built it on top of an older church that was dedicated to St Bride. This older church was from around the year 900 AD. They built the new church for Walter of Gloucester after Caldicot Castle was finished.
The oldest part of the church you can see now is the bottom of the tower. This part, along with the main hall (called the nave) and the area near the altar (called the chancel), was built in the 14th century. This was part of a big building project at that time. The tower was not fully finished until the 16th century.
In the 1850s, a part of the church called the north aisle was rebuilt. This part was originally from the 15th century. A person named Henry Woodyer led this work. Most of the beautiful stained glass windows were also replaced then. Later, in 1905, the chancel was updated again. Many of the changes made in the Victorian era were changed at this time.
Modern Times for St Mary's
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In 1955, St Mary's Church was given a special "Grade I listed status." This means it is a very important historical building. It was listed because it is a "fine medieval church" with interesting updates and additions from the Victorian era.
The church was even used as a place to film a movie! It appeared in the 2002 film Plots with a View.
