St Mary's Church, Llanfair-ar-y-bryn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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| OS grid reference | SN 7698 3516 |
| Location | Llandovery, Carmarthenshire |
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Founded | Medieval |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 3 August 1966 |
| Architectural type | Church |
St Mary's Church is an old and important church located near Llandovery in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It's a special place of worship for the Church in Wales. This church used to be the main church for the area called Llanfair-ar-y-bryn. A new church was built later in a more central spot. The building you see today is very old, dating back to the 1100s! It sits on a small hill north of the town and has a large churchyard around it. Because of its history and architecture, it was given a special "Grade I listed building" status on August 3, 1966. This means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
History of the Church
How Old Is It?
St Mary's Church was built a very long time ago. It stands on top of Llanfair Hill. This spot was once home to Alabum, a Roman fort. Before the church was built, there was a small religious building called a monastic cell there around the year 1126.
What Does It Look Like?
This church is one of the biggest medieval churches in Carmarthenshire. It has a large tower at its western end. There's also a square stair-tower on the tower's northeast corner. The church is made from rough stone, and its roof has plain tiles. Older parts of the church use red sandstone. Parts added in the 1800s use a different stone called Bath stone.
The main parts of the church, like the nave (where people sit) and the chancel (near the altar), connect directly to the tower. There's a porch on the south side. On the north side, you'll find the vestry and the organ chamber.
Famous People Connected to St Mary's
A famous hymn writer named William Williams Pantycelyn (1717–1791) is buried in the churchyard. There is a special memorial there to remember him.
Why Is It a Grade I Listed Building?
St Mary's Church was given its "Grade I listed building" status on August 3, 1966. This is because it's a very important medieval church. It shows a long history of building and changes from the 1100s to the 1500s. It has a beautiful tower and many original medieval features that are still in good condition.
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales keeps records about this church. These records include information about old wall paintings. They also have color pictures and black and white postcards of the church.
Recent Challenges
In the summer of 2023, some stone paving slabs were stolen from the churchyard. These slabs were part of the historic path leading to the church's entrance. The church needs money to keep its ancient building in good shape. The vicar (the church leader) said that the theft was a difficult challenge for them.
