St Peter's Church, Newborough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Peter's Church |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 30 January 1968 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Medieval |
St Peter's Church is a very old church found in the village of Newborough, Anglesey, Wales. It was built a long time ago, in the early 1300s, during the Medieval period. Over the years, it has been repaired and updated, especially in the 1800s. This church is special because it's the longest church on Anglesey! It's also a "Grade II* listed building," which means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
A Look at St Peter's Church History
St Peter's Church has a long and interesting past. It was once known by a different name, Llananno.
How the Church Began
Some people think the church was first built around the year 500 AD. They believe it was started by a noble couple named Amon and Anna. They were the parents of Saint Sampson, a famous saint. Other stories say the church was named after Saint Amo.
No matter who started it, the church is located right next to Llys Rhosyr. This was a royal home for the Princes of Gwynedd. So, the church was probably a special place for the royal family.
Building the Church Over Time
The church walls are covered in a rough plaster. This covering hides clues about how the church was built over many years.
It's thought that the eastern part of the church, called the chancel, was built first. This part might have been a royal chapel dedicated to St Mary. Later, another chapel was built right next to it, dedicated to St Peter. Eventually, these two buildings were joined together to make one very long church. You can still see differences in the roof and stones that show where the two parts were joined.
The oldest parts of the church, like the eastern side of the chancel and the main area (called the nave), are from the early 1300s. The nave was made longer towards the west in the late 1400s or early 1500s. The church was repaired in 1850 and again in 1886.
What is a Listed Building?
On January 30, 1968, St Peter's Church was given a special status: a Grade II*-listed building. This means it's considered a very important historical building. It's a great example of a medieval church that has been carefully restored.
Old Features Inside the Church
The church has some really old parts inside:
The Ancient Font
The font, which is a large stone basin used for baptisms, is made of gritstone. Some experts believe it dates back to 1150! This makes it one of the oldest fonts in all of Wales. It has cool carvings on its sides, including crosses and knot patterns.
Marks on the Doorway
If you look closely at the inner doorway, you might see marks on the stone. A former church leader, Rev J Iorwerth Parry, thought these marks were made by archers. They might have sharpened their arrows on the stone while practicing in the churchyard!
Old Seating
Beneath the wooden seats you see today, there are worn stone benches. These were probably the only seats available a long time ago. They were likely saved for older people or those who needed to rest.
Church Bells
In 1975, the church had two bells. One bell came from another church, Llanddwyn, when it closed in the late 1500s. The second bell was made in 1690. Both bells were melted down and remade in 1892 in London.
Old Gravestones
Inside the church, in the north and south walls of the chancel, there are gravestones from the 1300s. One has a cross and a leaf pattern. The other has a carving of a priest. Both have old Latin writing on them.
