St Mary's Church, Cardigan facts for kids
St Mary's Church is an old and important church in Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales. It's part of the Anglican faith. For a long time, it was both a special church for a group of monks (a priory church) and the main church for the local people (a parish church). It became the official parish church of Cardigan in 1428. This happened after another church, Holy Trinity, was no longer there. St Mary's Church is also a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important historical building.
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The Church's Story
St Mary's Church has a long and interesting history. It was once a "priory church" for a group of monks called the Benedictines. These monks lived at Cardigan Priory, which was nearby. At the same time, it also served as the "parish church" for the people living in Cardigan. Today, it is still a parish church, serving the local community as part of the Bro Teifi group of churches.
How Old Is the Building?
The church was first started in the 1100s, which is the 12th century. However, most of the building you see today was built in the 1300s, or the 14th century. It has been rebuilt and changed quite a bit over the years. There's a blocked-up doorway on the south side that people think was connected to the old priory buildings.
The Shrine of Our Lady of the Taper
In the 1200s, St Mary's Priory Church was home to a special place called the shrine of Our Lady of the Taper. This shrine was a very important religious site. However, it was taken down during a time in history called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was when many monasteries and religious sites in England and Wales were closed down.
Changes Over Time
The church's porch was rebuilt in 1639. Later, in 1705, the church tower fell down. It took a long time to rebuild it, about 40 years, and it was finally finished in 1748.
Inside the church, you can see a beautiful stained glass window in the east wall. This window was put in place in 1924. It shows a picture of the Crucifixion, which is a scene from the Bible, with the Virgin Mary and St John. You can also see some small pieces of glass from the 1400s in the upper parts of the window.
People Remembered Here
Some important people are remembered at St Mary's Church. One of them is Dr David Rowlands. He was a surgeon and an Inspector for the Royal Navy's Hospitals and Fleets. He passed away in 1846. There is a special memorial tablet inside the church to remember him.
More Information
- Parish website
