St Mary's Church, Pembroke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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| 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 an old church in Pembroke, a town in west Wales. It is part of the Church in Wales, which is a Christian church. Since 2004, it has been part of the Monkton Rectorial Benefice.
Contents
A Look at St Mary's Church
This section explores the history and interesting features of St Mary's Church. It's a place with a long past, dating back many centuries.
Church Building and Design
The church building you see today was mostly built in the 13th century. That's over 700 years ago! Some people think there might have been an even older church on this spot before that.
The church is made of stone, and its roof is covered with slate. You can still see two original windows in the south wall. The other windows were replaced in the 1800s.
The Church Tower and Bells
The tower of the church is on the northeast side. It was built in the middle of the 14th century. This tower holds eight bells that ring out for special occasions.
The first bells were put in the tower in 1763. Two more were added in 1765, and another two in 1897. Imagine how many different sounds these bells have made over the centuries!
Ancient Font and Royal Connections
Inside the church, there's a special basin called a font. This font is very old, dating back to the late Norman times. It's where people are baptized.
An interesting story is that King Henry VII might have been baptized here. He was born at Pembroke Castle, which is very close to the church. While there's no clear proof, it's a cool thought!
Entrances and Changes Over Time
Today, you enter the church through a porch on the west side. This porch was built in 1926. It's located at the corner of Northgate Street and Main Street.
In the past, the main entrance was on the south side of the church. This old doorway now leads to the choir vestry, which is a room used by the choir.
Restoration and Special Status
Towards the end of the 1800s, the church needed a lot of repairs. It even closed in 1875 because of its condition.
Four years later, in 1879, major work began to fix it up. A famous architect named John Loughborough Pearson oversaw the project. After the repairs, the church reopened. The current pulpit, where sermons are given, was given to the church a year later.
In 1951, St Mary's Church was given a special status called Grade I listed. This means it's considered a building of amazing architectural and historical importance. Other parts of the churchyard, like its walls and gates, also have special listed status, showing their historical value.
