St Mary's Church, St Fagans facts for kids
The Church of St Mary, St Fagans in 2012
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| OS grid reference | [1] |
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| Location | St Fagans, Cardiff |
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
Quick facts for kids History |
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| Founded | 12th century |
| Dedication | Mary, mother of Jesus |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Medieval |
The Saint Mary's Church in St Fagans is a very old church located in Cardiff, south Wales. It was built a long, long time ago, in the 12th century! Imagine, that's over 800 years ago. The church was carefully fixed up and made beautiful again in 1859 by a famous architect named G. E. Street.
Because it's so special and old, the Church of St Mary was given a special protection status. It became a Grade II* building on January 28, 1963. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be preserved for future generations.
The Story of Saint Mary's Church
Saint Mary's Church first began in the 12th century. We know this because the first church leader, called a rector, was recorded in 1301. The church changed quite a bit in the 14th century.
Later, in the 15th century, a porch was added to the front. A new roof was also put on the building. The church's tower was rebuilt in the 1600s. It was then repaired and made taller in 1730.
In 1859, a well-known architect named G. E. Street started a big project. He carefully restored the church, making sure to keep its old charm. He also added a vestry, which is a room used by the clergy, and a north aisle. These additions were paid for by Baroness Windsor.
The church was officially listed as a Grade II* building on January 28, 1963. It was recognized for being a "highly graded" medieval building. People also found its Victorian additions and restorations by G. E. Street very interesting.
What the Church Looks Like
The church is built using local stones that were not perfectly shaped, called rubblestone. Its roofs are made from Welsh slate, which is a strong, flat type of rock. The tower, which was built later, uses stones that are more evenly shaped and laid in rows. It also has special cut stones at the corners, called quoins, which make it look neat.
