The name or dedication of the church.
This identifies the church type. Most churches are parish churches which means they serve a specific parish or area. Other types such as chapel, daughter and mission are mostly historic designations as many are now also parish churches. Please note that former churches are no longer used for worhsip and may be in private ownership.
A unique identification number given to every church.
The name of the diocese in which the church is located.
The name of the archdeaconry in which the church is located.
This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.
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There are 3 levels of listing: Grade I, II* & II. The majority of buildings which are of special interest are Grade II. A much smaller number of particularly important buildings are listed as Grade II*. Buildings of exceptional interest (approx 2% of the total number of listed buildings) are Grade I.
Ancient monuments and archaeological remains of national importance are protected by law. Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service is responsible for compiling a schedule (list) of these ancient monuments, some of which can be found in churches and churchyards. Examples can include churchyard crosses and the archaeological remains of previous churches or buildings on the site.
There are three National Parks in Wales: Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons. These protect 20 percent of the land in Wales, including precious landscapes, habitats, villages and heritage sites.
There are over 500 conservation areas in Wales. They are designated by local planning authorities for their special architectural and historic interest.
The Buildings at Risk register is managed by Cadw (the Welsh Government’s historic environment service) in order to identify the number and type of listed buildings at risk in Wales.
It is often extremely difficult to determine a precise date of construction for a church as many have been extensively altered over time. Church Heritage Cymru therefore shows a date range within which a church is believed to have been constructed. The dates are as follows: Early Medieval (pre 1066), Medieval (post 1066 to 1540), Post Medieval (1540 to 1837), Victorian/Pre WWI (1837 to 1914) and Modern (post 1914).
This is a very brief summary of the church's main features. More detailed nformation can be found in the other fields and pages (tabs) in this database.
Useful information is displayed here for people wishing to visit the church. This may include things like opening hours, catering & toilet facilities, parking, etc.
If the church has its own website the details will be displayed here.
Any further sources of information for the church will be listed here (eg. links to other historic databases).
This is the Ordnance Survey (OS) reference for the location of the church. Some locations will be approximate as this data is continuously being refined and updated.
This is the name of the Local Authoirity within which the church is located.
This describes how the church relates to its immediate and wider environment, sometimes called its setting. It describes how the church contributes to its landscape or townscape and how these things collectively contribute to the character of the area.
Abergele is 20km east of Conwy and 54km north west of Chester both along the A55 North Wales Expressway. The church is to be found in the angle created by Walter Street and Market Street accessed along Church Street off Market Street.
Reference AA Route Planner OS Map 116 Cadw Listing Notice 237
This is a description of the ground plan of the church.
If known, the dimensions (measurements) of the church ground plan will be displayed here.
If the footrprint (area) of the church is known, it will be displayed here.
A description of the history and archaeology of the church and its site.
It was Maelgwyn Gwynedd who in C8 granted land to Elfod, Bishop of Bangor who had introduced the Roman calculation for East to this area in 768. The land held a church and was a ‘clas’ settlement. The present building dates from late C12 to early C13 but it was modified and substantially rebuilt c1400 at which time the tower was built. Somewhat neglected it was repaired in 1663 and the tower raised in height and buttressed in 1858 – 1861. Arthur baker refloored and reseated the church 1888-9 also replacing some of the windows. A porch was added in 1879 – the date being cut on the tie beam.
Reference Buildings of Wales– Clwyd 2003 Cadw Listing Notice 237
A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.
The double nave church has been built with limestone rubble stone with sandstone dressings all beneath a slate roof. It also has a chancel in the south nave, west tower and a timber framed south porch. There are a number of ‘cyclopean’ doors – that is ‘blocked, the rough stone cover to the door has been smoothed. The tower has a tall bell stage with louvred openings and a crenelated parapet and C19 windows. The tower door is on the south side and there is a clock face over the south side bell opening.
Reference Buildings of Wales – Clwyd 2003 Cadw Listing Notice 237
Information about any noteable architects, artists, people, or events associated with the church.
Information about any important features and building fabric.
If known, a list of the church's major building material/s will be displayed here.
Any renewable energy systems the church is using will be listed here.
This section gives a general description of the interior of the church. Further details of any important internal fixtures and fittings will be listed below.
The double nave is divided by a Perpendicular arcade of 8 bays, it is carried on octagonal columns with depressed arches of 2 chamfered orders. There is a vestry in the west bay. The open roof which has 15 arch-braced collar trusses with cusped raking struts, is medieval. On the south side there are alternating principal rafters which on the eastern side, spring from hammerbeams and wall posts. The walls are plastered, lined out as ashlar and there are encaustic tiles. The sanctuary is raised with a carved oak reredos of 1917. The oak pulpit is C17, panelled and with the top panel exhibiting a floral spray. Across both naves is a rood screen which was restored in C19 but still contains medieval work. Sitting on a raised base of two steps is the octagonal font. The bowl carries the inscription ‘1663 IH RW WR ID WARDENS’. Within the church there is a late C14 sepulchral slab with a floriated cross and a series of two carved cross fragments of the early C14. Also in the church is a dug-out iron bound vestment chest. The stained glass: ‘St Michael Overcoming Satan’, 1857; ‘Memorial Window with an Angel’, 1850; ‘The Last Supper’, Shrigley & Hunt,c1922; ‘St Elfod and Nennius’, designed by Maud Francis Eyston Summer for Goddard & Gibbs, 1958; ‘Archangels’, Shrigley & Hunt, 1905; ‘Medieval Fragments’ c1500; ‘Christ with the Elements of the Eucharist and The Agony in the Garden’. 1860s; ‘The Crucifixion with Christ Carrying the Cross and the Resurrection’, John Harman & Co, c1868; ‘The Ascension’, Ward & Hughes, 1891. There are five bells by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough dated 2 of 1844 and 2 of 1887, and 1 of 1895, one bell is by Abraham II Rudhall of 1730 and the sanctus bell of 1723 cast by Luke Ashton.
Reference Buildings of Wales – Clwyd 2003 Cadw Listing Notice 237 Stained Glass in Wales A National Bell Register - George Dawson's Website - Homestead
Information about the church's important internal fixtures and fittings.
Information about the church's important moveable items and artworks.
A description of the ecology of the churchyard.
Information about the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.
Records whether the church has been consecrated.
Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.
Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.
Records whether there are any war graves in the churchyard.
Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.
Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship of the church to its surrounding area and helps place it within its wider landscape context.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the significance of the historic building fabric of the church.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the historic significance of the interior of the church.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship between the church and its community.