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 |
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| Diocese | Monmouth |
The Church of St Wonnow is a historic church located in Wonastow, a small village about 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Monmouth in south east Wales. It's a very special building, recognized as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's an important historical site.
A Long History
The Church of St Wonnow is named after Saint Wonnow, also known as Winwaloe. He was a saint from the 500s in a place called Brittany. People believe his story and teachings came to Britain with Saint Gwenhael. The very first church here in Wonastow might have been built around the 600s. This was when Cynfwr ap Iago gave the church and village to the Diocese of Llandaff.
What the Church Looks Like
Some parts of the church you see today are thought to be from the 1100s. The chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar, is built in the Perpendicular style. This style was popular in England from the late 1300s to the early 1500s. It often features tall, narrow windows and strong vertical lines.
The church is made from Old Red Sandstone. Its windows have square tops and special shapes called cinquefoiled ogee lights. A cinquefoil is a five-lobed shape, and an ogee is an S-shaped curve.
The roof inside the church is very old, from the Middle Ages. It's supported by four pairs of hammer beams. These are special wooden beams that create an open, grand look inside. This roof was repaired in 1977.
Inside the church, you can find old memorials. One is 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, for example, is dated 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 porch in 1909. In 1913, they provided a rood screen and a reredos. A rood screen is a decorative partition that separates the nave (where people sit) from the chancel. A reredos is a decorated screen or wall behind the altar. They also gave the church beautiful stained glass windows and a new altar.
The Church Today
Even though only a few people attend the weekly service, many in the community care deeply about the church. This care was shown by the successful restoration work done in recent years. The church is usually locked, but visitors can get the key from the Vicar if they arrange it beforehand.
