St Pabo's Church, Llanbabo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Pabo's Church, Llanbabo
A view of the north side
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OS grid reference	SH 378 867
Location	Llanbabo, Anglesey
Country	Wales, United Kingdom
Denomination	Church in Wales
History
Status	Church
Founded	5th century (reputedly) 12th century (earliest parts of the building)
Founder(s)	St Pabo (reputedly)
Dedication	St Pabo
Architecture
Functional status	Active (occasional services only)
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	12 May 1970
Style	Medieval
Specifications
Length	45 ft (13.7 m)
Width	14 ft 6 in (4.4 m)
Materials	Rubble masonry, dressed with freestone
Administration
Parish	Bodedern with Llanfaethlu
Deanery	Llifon and Talybolion
Archdeaconry	Bangor
Diocese	Diocese of Bangor
Province	Province of Wales

St Pabo's Church, Llanbabo is a very old church in Llanbabo, a small place in Anglesey, North Wales. Most of the church was built in the 1100s (12th century). It is special because it still looks much like it did when it was first built.

Inside the church, there is a cool tombstone from the 1300s (14th century). It shows a king with a crown and a special stick called a sceptre. The stone has the name of Pabo Post Prydain. People say he was a prince who started the church. However, there is no real proof that Pabo, who lived in the 400s (5th century), was ever in this area.

The church is still used today by the Church in Wales. Services are held there sometimes. It is a "Grade II* listed building." This means it is a very important old building. It has been kept well and not changed much over the years.

History of St Pabo's Church

The exact year St Pabo's Church was built is not known. But we know it was there before the year 1254. This is because it was written down in a record from that time.

The Legend of Pabo

A long time ago, people believed the church was started by Pabo Post Prydain. He was a prince from the 400s (5th century). The story says he was forced to leave his home in North Britain in 460. He then came to live in Anglesey. People also believed he was buried here.

The Ancient Tombstone

Around the year 1680, a stone slab was found in the churchyard. It was found by a person digging a grave. This stone is a gravestone from the late 1300s (14th century). It is made from stone found in Flintshire.

The stone shows a man with a beard, wearing a crown. He has a long, loose tunic and holds a sceptre in his right hand. His head rests on a cushion under an arch. Flowers decorate the background of the stone. It looks a bit like a metal picture carved into stone. Today, this stone is standing up inside the church.

The words on the stone are not complete, but they say: "Here lies Pabo the Pillar of Britain." Some other letters might show who paid for the stone. However, the story linking Pabo to the church was not written down until the 1700s. Also, there is no proof that Pabo became a religious person or died in Anglesey. So, many experts today think there is no real link between him and the church. It is more of a local legend.

Where the Church Is Located

St Pabo's Church is on a small road. It is between the villages of Llanddeusant and Rhosgoch. It is also close to a large lake called Llyn Alaw.

The church is part of the Church in Wales. It is used for services only sometimes. It is one of nine churches in the area of Bodedern with Llanfaethlu. The village of Llanbabo gets its name from the church. The word llan means "church" in Welsh.

What St Pabo's Church Looks Like

The church is built from rough stones called rubble masonry. It has smoother, cut stones called freestone for details. The building is about 14 meters (45 feet) long and 4.4 meters (14 feet 6 inches) wide.

Old Walls and Windows

Most of the church was built in the 1100s (12th century). The walls and a narrow window on the south side are from this time. Another window on the east end of the south wall is from the late 1300s or early 1400s. There is a newer window between them. The east wall and its window are from the 1300s. Some windows have unusual green glass. Some window frames are made of wood.

Doorways and Roof

Above the main doorway, on the west end of the south side, you can see some old stone carvings. These include zig-zag patterns and three stone human heads. They are very old, probably from the 1100s. These stones might have come from an older arch inside the church that was removed. The doorway itself was made bigger in the early 1800s.

On the north side, a doorway was added in the 1700s. But it was later blocked up and a window was put there instead. There are two other modern windows on the north wall. They are all at different heights. At the west end of the church, there is a small tower for a bell. The bell is probably from the 1700s. The church's roof is thought to be one of the oldest on the island of Anglesey.

Inside the Church

Inside, you can see the Pabo monument on the north wall. There are also old arched wooden beams in the roof. Two marble memorials from the 1700s are also inside. The font, which is a bowl for baptisms, is round and about 30 centimeters (1 foot) tall. It is probably from the 1100s.

The main part of the church (the nave) and the area near the altar (the chancel) are not separated by a wall. There is one step up to the altar area. The altar is made of wood. The simple wooden benches (pews) were added in 1911. There is also a carved head above the doorway inside, similar to the ones outside. A stone called "The Llanbabo Devil" was once in the churchyard wall. It is now kept inside the church. People think it might be a very old Celtic god.

Why St Pabo's Church is Important

St Pabo's Church is a Grade II* listed building. This is the second-highest level of protection for old buildings. It means the church is a "particularly important building of more than special interest." It got this status on May 12, 1970.

It is listed because it is a "good, scarcely altered simple Medieval church." This means it is a great example of a medieval church that has not been changed much. It still has many of its original parts, including old decorations from the 1100s. It also has a very old roof from later in the medieval period.

According to Cadw, which looks after Wales's old buildings, St Pabo's Church is an "important survivor." Many other old churches in Anglesey were rebuilt or changed a lot in the 1800s. Some repair work was done in 1909, but overall, the church has not been changed too much.