St Michael's Church, Pillgwenlly facts for kids
St Michael's Church is a historic Roman Catholic church located in the Pillgwenlly area of Newport, Wales. You can find it at the corner of Clarence Street and St Michael Street. This beautiful church has been recognized as a Grade II listed building since January 1997, meaning it's an important historical site that needs to be protected.
Building a Community Church
St Michael's Church was built with a lot of community spirit. Many Irish immigrants, who had come to work at the busy Newport docks, volunteered their time and effort to help construct it. The money needed for the church came from "public subscription," which means many people donated small amounts to help pay for the building. This church was very important for the Irish immigrant community, providing them with a place to worship and gather.
Inside and Out: The Church's Design
The church is built from strong Pennant sandstone and dressed with smooth Bath stone. It has a dark slate roof with two unique, cone-shaped ventilators made from copper that stand out. The beautiful stained glass windows, which add so much color and light, were put in place in 1884. These special windows were created by a company called Mayer of Munich, known for their amazing glasswork.
When the church was finished in 1887, the South Wales Echo newspaper described it as a "fine, spacious building." It stood 61 feet tall and had six arches inside that divided the main hall (nave) from the side areas (aisles). The church was designed to seat about one thousand people. The original plans also included adding a spire to the tower later, which would have made the church reach a total height of 100 feet. The building was constructed on very strong foundations made from concrete, using local materials like Aberthaw pebble ground lime.
See also
- Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia
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