St Mary's Church, Pembroke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| General information | |
| Location | Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°40′35″N 4°55′04″W / 51.67639°N 4.91778°W |
St Mary the Virgin is a historic church in Pembroke, a town in west Wales. It's a special place of worship that has been around for a very long time. The church is part of the Church in Wales, which is a Christian church in the Anglican Communion.
Contents
A Look at St Mary's Church History
This church building you see today was mostly built in the 13th century. That's over 700 years ago! People think there might have been an even older church on this spot before. The church is made from strong stone, and its roof is covered with slate.
Cool Features of the Church
The church has some interesting parts that have been added or changed over the centuries.
The Bell Tower
The tall tower on the north-east side of the church was built in the middle of the 14th century. This tower holds eight bells that ring out for different occasions. Imagine how many times those bells have rung over hundreds of years!
The Ancient Font
Inside the church, you'll find a very old font. This is a special basin used for baptisms, which is a Christian ceremony. This font dates back to the late Norman times, making it incredibly old. It's even thought that King Henry VII, who was born nearby at Pembroke Castle, might have been baptised here. How cool is that?
Entrances and Changes
Today, you enter the church through a porch on the west side. This porch was added in 1926. Long ago, the main entrance was on the south side. That old doorway now leads to a room where the choir gets ready.
Restoring a Historic Church
Towards the end of the 1800s, St Mary's Church needed a lot of repair work. It even closed for a few years in 1875. But then, a big project began to fix it up! A famous architect named John Loughborough Pearson helped with the plans. The church reopened in 1879, looking much better. The pulpit, where the priest gives sermons, was given to the church a year later.
A Protected Building
Because of its amazing history and architecture, St Mary's Church was given a special status in 1951. It became a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered to be of "exceptional architectural and historical interest." It's like a national treasure that needs to be protected!
