St Mary's Church, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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|---|---|
| Church of St Mary | |
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| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Previous denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | active |
| Dedication | Virgin Mary |
| Consecrated | 1853 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 1998 |
| Years built | 1853 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Llanfairpwll & Llanddaniel-fab |
| Diocese | Diocese of Bangor |
St Mary's Church is a special church in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey, Wales. It belongs to the Church in Wales and serves as a local parish church. Built in 1853, it helps the people of the village. This church is also a Grade II-listed building, which means it's an important historical site.
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The Story of St Mary's Church
Before the current St Mary's Church was built, an older church stood in the same spot. It was also named after the Virgin Mary. In 1853, the old church was rebuilt. This happened during a time when many old churches were being restored.
The new church was made from stone and cost about £950. After it was finished, the Bishop of Bangor held a special ceremony to make it sacred again. Many of the old church's items were replaced. However, the original baptismal font (a basin used for baptisms) was kept and moved into the new building.
Beautiful Stained Glass Windows
Over time, the church's stained glass windows were replaced. Different people donated money for these beautiful new windows.
- The east window shows scenes from the Bible. It was given in honor of Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, in 1876.
- The west window features Jesus and his Twelve Apostles. This window was dedicated to Sir Robert Waller Otway, 1st Baronet, also in 1876.
- New windows were also added on the north and south sides in 1900 and 1906.
A Place of Remembrance
The churchyard around St Mary's Church is a peaceful place. It holds five graves for soldiers and sailors who died in wars.
- Two soldiers from the Royal Welch Fusiliers and one Merchant sailor from World War I are buried here.
- A Merchant sailor and a Royal Navy sailor from World War II also rest in the churchyard. These graves are cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Why is it a Grade II-Listed Building?
In 1998, St Mary's Church was given a Grade II-listed status. This means it is recognized as an important building. It's a great example of a small Gothic Revival church. This style is known for its clear shapes and careful details.
The Village with the Long Name
The village where St Mary's Church is located has a very famous name: Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. The church is actually why the village has this name!
What Does the Long Name Mean?
The full, very long name of the village is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. This long name was first used in the 1800s to help promote the village.
Let's break down what the name means:
- The first part, "Llanfairpwllgwyngyll," means "The Church of St Mary at Pwllgwyngyll." Pwllgwyngyll refers to "the white hazel pool."
- The second part, "gogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch," means "near the rapid whirlpool, near St Tysilio's red cave." Llandysilio is the name of another nearby church parish.
