St Odoceus' Church, Llandawke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Odoceus' Church, Llandawke |
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St Odoceus' Church, Llandawke, from the southwest
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| OS grid reference | SN 282 112 |
| Location | Llandawke, Carmarthenshire |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Website | Friends of Friendless Churches |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Odoceus |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 30 November 1966 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 13th century |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone with slate roofs |
St Odoceus' Church, Llandawke, is an old church in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is no longer used for regular church services. The church is in a dip near the road between Llandawke and Laugharne.
This church is a Grade II listed building. This means Cadw, which looks after historic sites in Wales, thinks it is very important. The church is now looked after by a group called the Friends of Friendless Churches. This charity helps save old churches that are no longer used.
Contents
History of St Odoceus' Church
This church was first built in the 1200s. It was changed and updated in the 1300s by Sir Guy De Brian, who was a powerful lord in Laugharne. The church was also repaired during the Victorian era (the time when Queen Victoria ruled, from 1837 to 1901).
When Cadw checked the church in 1988, they said parts of it were "partly overgrown." This means plants were growing over some areas. In 2006, the church was in a very bad state, almost falling apart. The Friends of Friendless Churches took over its care that year. They have a very long lease, which is like renting the church for 999 years. A local group of friends has also started to help fix and restore the church.
Church Design and Features
Outside the Church
St Odoceus' Church is built from local sandstone with roofs made of slate. It is designed in the Gothic style, which was popular for churches in the Middle Ages.
The church has a main area called a nave and a smaller, lower part called a chancel. It also has a tower at the west end. The tower is short and gets narrower as it goes up. It has narrow, pointed windows called lancet windows for the bells. The tower roof is shaped like a pyramid. There's a small staircase on the north side of the tower.
At the very top of the front wall of the nave, there is a crucifix finial. This is a decorative piece shaped like a cross. You enter the church through an arched doorway on the south side. Near the entrance, there are different types of windows. Some are square-headed, and others have pointed tops with Victorian designs. The windows in the chancel also have two lights (sections).
Inside the Church
Inside the chancel, on the south side, there is a piscina. This is a small basin used for washing sacred items during church services. There is also a space that used to hold a tomb.
On the north side, you can see a stone statue, called an effigy, from the 1300s. People believe it shows a woman named Margaret Marlos. The statue is broken into three pieces. A story says this happened because robbers cut her into three pieces. This effigy was placed in the church in 1902.
The church also has a very old stone slab from the 400s or 500s. It has ancient carvings called Ogham and Roman writing on it. The wooden altar, which is a table used for services, was made in 1882. It has very detailed carvings of flowers.
