St Mary's Church, Llanfair-yn-Neubwll facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Llanfair-yn-Neubwll |
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| Previous denomination | |
| History | |
| Status | closed |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 1971 |
| Closed | 1970s |
St Mary's Church was once a local church in a small village called Llanfair-yn-Neubwll on Anglesey, an island in Wales. The building you see today was built in the 1300s. It might even stand on the spot of an older church from the 1100s! The church was given a big makeover in 1857. It stopped being used as a church in the 1970s. Today, it is a special "Grade II-listed building," which means it's an important historical site.
The Church's Long History
The church building we know was constructed in the 14th century, which is the 1300s. Some people think there was an even older church here from the 12th century (the 1100s). This idea comes from the old baptismal font, which is a basin used for baptisms. It dates back to that earlier time.
The church was built using local stone. It was a simple medieval church. The main part where people sat, called the nave, and the area near the altar, called the chancel, were all one open space. They weren't separated by walls or screens.
The 1857 Renovation
In 1857, an architect named Henry Kennedy began to update the church. He worked on many churches in the area. During his work, new windows were put into the north and south walls. The roof over the nave was also replaced.
Kennedy also removed the old pews, which are like long benches. He replaced them with open seating. Even though he did a lot of work, Kennedy reused materials from the original church. His changes were not as big as some other church renovations happening on Anglesey at the time.
Why the Church Closed
In the 1970s, St Mary's Church was given a "Grade II-listed" status. This means it was recognized as a special historical building. Experts said it was a great example of a simple, old church. They noted that it kept much of its original structure.
The listing also said the church was "an important survival." Many other churches had been rebuilt or changed a lot. St Mary's had kept its original look. Despite being so important, the church stopped being used for services in the 1970s. Its old baptismal font was moved to St Cybi's Church in Holyhead to keep it safe.
