St Mary's Church, Nash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary, Nash |
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| Church of St Mary the Virgin, Nash | |
The church from the east
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| Location | Nash |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | St Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 3 January 1963 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Rectorial Benefice of Magor |
| Diocese | Monmouth |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Nash is a special church in the village of Nash. This village is about 2 miles south of Newport in Wales. A local historian, Fred Hando, called it "the cathedral of the moors." This means it's a very important and impressive church for the area.
The church is very old, dating back to medieval times. It has been added to and fixed up in the 1700s and 1800s. Its 15th-century steeple (a tall, pointed tower) is unique in South East Wales. Because of its amazing medieval tower and spire, it was named a Grade I listed building on January 3, 1963. This means it's a building of great historical importance.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The Church of St Mary has three main parts. It features a tall, three-story steeple from the 1400s. This steeple has an eight-sided spire at the top. Interestingly, you cannot enter the main part of the church through the steeple.
The middle part of the church, called the nave, was built in the 1700s. The chancel, which is the area around the altar, was added in the 1800s. Inside, the church looks very much like it did in the Georgian era. It has a special gallery, enclosed box pews (like small rooms for families), and a unique three-decker pulpit.
A Look at the Church's History
The church was connected to Goldcliff Priory in 1349. At that time, a person named Robert Arney became the priest there. Later, the Arney family, during the time of King Charles II, gave a cottage and 6 acres of land to help the poor people of the parish. This land was known as "The Poor's Six Acres." The church was mostly rebuilt during the 1500s.
Only a few parts of the original Norman church remain today. These include the North Wall of the chancel and a small opening called a squint or hagioscope. This squint is quite unusual. It allowed people with diseases like leprosy or smallpox to see or take part in the church service. They could do this without putting others at risk of getting sick.
The church's tower is also in an unusual spot. It is located on the north side of the chancel. People believe the church was originally much bigger. It might have included a North aisle, which is a side section of the church.
In the early 1900s, a sad event happened at the church. The floor of the bellringer's room was used as a temporary place for five sailors who had drowned. They died in a terrible storm at sea, near the East Usk Lighthouse. Four of these sailors were found tied to the mast of their ship. During World War II, many people came to the church, with congregations of 400.
The inside of the church was repaired and made new in 2004 and 2005. Today, church services are held every Sunday morning. You can also visit the church daily from 10 am to 4 pm during July and August.
The Great Flood of 1607
On January 30, 1607, a huge flood hit the Bristol Channel. This event, now thought to be a storm surge, caused many deaths. It also destroyed a lot of farms and animals. There is a special plaque remembering this flood in St Mary's Church in the nearby village of Goldcliff. An old picture from that time shows a church that many believe is St Mary's, Nash, during the flood.
