St Mellons Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mellons Church |
|
|---|---|
| St Mellons Parish Church | |
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1493859.jpg) |
|
| 51°31′34″N 3°06′49″W / 51.52624°N 3.11372°W | |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | active |
| Dedication | St Mellonius |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 1963 |
| Years built | 13th century |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Old St Mellons |
| Diocese | Diocese of Monmouth |
St Mellons Parish Church, also known as St Melan's Church, is a historic building in Old St Mellons, Cardiff, Wales. It is part of the Church in Wales and belongs to the Diocese of Monmouth. The church was built around the 13th century and is a very important historical site, recognized as a Grade I listed building. This means it has special architectural or historical significance.
Contents
History of St Mellons Church
We don't know exactly when St Mellons Church was first built. However, it first appears in official records in the year 1254. Some historians believe that the Normans, who conquered parts of Wales, built this church. They might have dedicated it to Mellonius, an important bishop from the early 4th century. It is thought that St Mellonius was born in the same area of Wales.
Early Construction and Changes
Even though the church has been standing since the 1200s, most of the original building materials are no longer there. Only a few parts remain from its first construction. These include the base of a tall cross in the churchyard and the bottom part of the Baptismal font. The font's base was made from pieces of an old Norman pillar. It seems the church was rebuilt in the 14th century. This is suggested by the style of the tower and the design of the beautiful stained glass windows.
Victorian Era Restorations
In the 1800s, the church went through several big updates. These updates, known as Victorian restorations, aimed to keep the church's original medieval look. Famous architect George Gilbert Scott led renovations to the main part of the church between 1858 and 1859. These works were supported by Edward Augustus Freeman. More work was done around 1869 by Charles Buckeridge. The chancel, which is the area around the altar, was restored in 1875 by Ewan Christian. Finally, the church tower was restored in 1910.
Why St Mellons Church is a Listed Building
St Mellons Parish Church was given Grade I listed status in 1963. This high status was given because the church still has most of its original medieval structure. This means it has kept many of its old features from the Middle Ages. The base of the cross in the churchyard also has a special status. It was listed as Grade II in 1977. This was done to group it with other important monuments in the churchyard. It is considered a "vestigial medieval churchyard cross," meaning it's a remaining piece of an old churchyard cross.
