St Michael's Church, Pillgwenlly facts for kids
St Michael's is a Catholic church located in Pillgwenlly, a part of Newport, Wales. You can find it at the corner of Clarence Street and St Michael Street. This church has been recognized as a Grade II listed building since January 1997. This means it's an important historical building that is protected.
St Michael's Church in Newport
St Michael's Church was built to serve the many Irish families who had moved to Newport to work at the docks. These families needed a place to worship and gather.
Building the Church
The church was built by Irish people who had moved to Wales and volunteered their time and effort. They worked hard to construct the building without being paid. The money needed for the church's construction came from many people donating what they could. This is called a "public subscription."
Design and Features
The church is built using strong stone called Pennant sandstone and a lighter stone known as Bath stone. Its roof is made of slate. You can also see two cone-shaped vents made from copper on the roof.
Beautiful stained glass windows were put into the church in 1884. These special windows were made by a company called Mayer, located in Munich, Germany.
What it Looks Like
When the church was finished in 1887, a local newspaper, the South Wales Echo, described it as a "fine, spacious edifice." This means it was a big and beautiful building. The church stands 61 feet tall.
Inside, the main area is separated from the side parts by six arches. The church was designed to hold about one thousand people. The original plans also included adding a tall spire to the tower. This spire would have made the church 100 feet high in total. The church was built on strong concrete foundations.
