St Wonnow's Church, Wonastow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Wonnow, Wonastow |
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St Wonnow, Wonastow
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| 51°47′36.29″N 2°44′49.75″W / 51.7934139°N 2.7471528°W | |
| Location | Monmouth, Monmouthshire |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Website | monmouthparishes.org |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Monmouth |
The Church of St Wonnow is a historic church in Wonastow, a small village in south-east Wales. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Monmouth. This church is a very important old building, officially called a Grade II* listed building. This means it has special historical and architectural value.
Contents
The Church's Long History
Who Was Saint Wonnow?
The church gets its name from Saint Wonnow, also known as Winwaloe. He was a saint who lived in the 500s in a place called Brittany, which is now part of France. People believe that another saint, Saint Gwenhael, brought the idea of honoring Saint Wonnow to Britain. Saint Gwenhael took over as the leader of a monastery after Saint Wonnow.
When Was the First Church Built?
The very first church in Wonastow is thought to have been built a long, long time ago, in the 600s. At that time, a person named Cynfwr ap Iago gave the church and the village to the Diocese of Llandaff. A diocese is like a church district led by a bishop.
What Parts Are Old?
Some parts of the church you see today might be from the 1100s. The main part of the church, called the chancel, was built in a style known as "Perpendicular." It is made from a type of stone called Old Red Sandstone. This part of the church has windows with square tops and special designs.
The Roof and Inside the Church
The church roof is very old, but no one knows exactly when it was built. It has a special design with strong wooden beams called "hammer beams." This roof was repaired in 1977 to keep it strong. Inside the church, you can find old memorials, like one for George Milborne, who passed away in 1637.
Restorations and New Additions
The entire church building was greatly repaired and updated in the 1860s. The church tower, which is a tall part of the building, was finished in 1865. More work was done in the 1880s, thanks to gifts from Sir John and Lady Adela Searle. They lived nearby at Wonastow Court. They also added a new entrance porch in 1909. Later, in 1913, they provided a special screen called a rood screen and a decorative piece behind the altar called a reredos. They also gave beautiful stained glass windows and a new altar for the church.
St Wonnow's Church Today
Even though only a few people attend the weekly church service, many people in the community care deeply about St Wonnow's Church. This care was shown by how successful the recent repair projects have been. The church is usually locked, but if you want to visit, you can arrange to get the key from the Vicar beforehand.
Images for kids
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St Wonnow, Wonastow
