Church Heritage Record

Church Heritage Record 1785

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Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentAudit

St Giles, Wrexham

Name:

The name or dedication of the church.

St Giles, Wrexham
Record Type:

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.

Parish Church
Church code:

A unique identification number given to every church.

1785
Diocese:

The name of the diocese in which the church is located.

St Asaph
Archdeaconry:

The name of the archdeaconry in which the church is located.

Wrexham
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

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.

This is a Grade I Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?

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 is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

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. 

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

There are over 500 conservation areas in Wales. They are designated by local planning authorities for their special architectural and historic interest.

The church is in a Conservation Area

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Buildings At Risk Status

On Buildings At Risk Register?

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. 

This church is not on the Buildings at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

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).

Medieval

Exterior Image

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Summary Description

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.

Wrexham is the principal and largest town in North East Wales. Located in the marcher lordship of Bromfield and Yale it was first mentioned in the Pope Roll of 1161. The remodelling of the church between 1480 and 1520 demonstrates the town’s growth. Hightown barracks were the home of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The C20 saw increased growth of the service industry in the town. In 2001 the Wrexham Encyclopaedia was published. St Giles church is one of the so called ‘Wonders of Wales.’ Reference The Encyclopaedia of Wales

Visiting and Facilities

Useful information is displayed here for people wishing to visit the church. This may include things like opening hours, catering & toilet facilities, parking, etc. 

The church is open for worship.
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Church Website

Church Website:

If the church has its own website the details will be displayed here.

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Sources and Further Information

Any further sources of information for the church will be listed here (eg. links to other historic databases).

View information on worship and access at this church on the Church In Wales web site
RCAHMW (2004) Coflein http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/162808/details/ [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/
CPAT (2016) Historic Environment Record http://www.cofiadurcahcymru.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?prn=CPAT100388 [Digital Archive/Document]
CPAT (2016) Welsh Historic Churches Survey http://www.cpat.demon.co.uk\projects\longer\churches\wrexham\106012.htm [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.cpat.demon.co.uk/projects/longer/churches/idxall.htm

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.

Grid Reference: SJ 336 501

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Church address

Address
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
St Giles Church Street WREXHAM LL13 7LU

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

This is the name of the Local Authoirity within which the church is located.

Wrecsam - Wrexham

Location and Setting

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.

Wrexham is by passed by the A483 22km southwest of Chester and 294km north west of London. The church in the centre of the town lies within an enclosed churchyard above the valley of the Afon Gwenfro.

AA Route Planner 
OS Map 117
Cadw Listing Notice 1769

Church Plan

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Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

This is a description of the ground plan of the church.

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Dimensions

If known, the dimensions (measurements) of the church ground plan will be displayed here.

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Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

If the footrprint (area) of the church is known, it will be displayed here.

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Description of Archaeology and History

A description of the history and archaeology of the church and its site.

The church is largely C15, with much of the work followed the collapse of the tower in 1330/1, Perpendicular remodelling took place inC15 following a fire but the major restoration was by Benjamin Ferrey in 1866-67 and then in 1894and 1903-4 by H A Prothero.

Reference
Buildings of Wales– Clwyd 2003
Cadw Listing Notice 1769

Exterior Description

A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.

A church with a west tower (referred to as a steeple in the rhyme ‘The Seven Wonders of Wales’), a nave with clerestory and two aisles with integral west porches and an apsidal chancel.  It was built from Cefn sandstone, coursed and squared all beneath lead roofs.  The six stage tower has clasping buttresses all enriched with blind traceried arcading and quatrefoil bands.  The outer and central pilasters have canopied niches carrying statues.  The fourth and five stages have pairs of ogee windows, mainly blind.  The bell chamber also has ogee windows.  There are crocketed pinnacles to the parapet all with heavy octagonal turrets all overlaid with blind tracery.  The aisles are divided into bays by tall buttresses surmounted by crocketed pinnacles.  The northwest doorway has a deep moulded arched doorway with a statue in canopied pinnacles while the north east doorway has a canopied niche with a statue.  The south porch is plainer and was added in 1822 The Perpendicular chancel has hood moulds with fleurons and to thew third and fourth windows elaborate corbels.

Reference
Buildings of Wales – Clwyd 2003
Cadw Listing Notice  1769  
Welsh Stone Forum National Museum of Wales Number 15

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Information about any noteable architects, artists, people, or events associated with the church.

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Building Fabric and Features

Information about any important features and building fabric.

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Building Materials

If known, a list of the church's major building material/s will be displayed here.

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Interior Image

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Interior Description

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 nave has an aisle-less western bay which is the ante nave which dates to the remodelling in C15, and a Decorated arcade of 6 bays with octagonal piers and double chamfered arches. There are cambered trusses supporting the roof with cusped braces and decorated spandrels, the ceiling has square panels with bosses at the principal points at the centre of each truss.  There are heavy stone corbels between the arches some carrying statues which are said to date from 1867.  There is a hollow chamfered chancel arch which is carried on corbels with a traceried canopy forming the lower part of the respond.  Over the arch is a wall pointing of ‘Judgement Day’ which was uncovered in 1867.  There is a low wrought iron screen with gates, it has scroll work, twisted bars and a vine trail, foliage, orange trees growing from urns…  It was given by Elihu Yale (founder of the Ivy League North American University of that name). and is the work of Hugh Davies and/or his son Robert Davies. The chancel roof has shallow king posts and an apsidal sanctuary.  Much of the chancel was refurbished in 1914 by Thomas Graham Jackson, his work includes the reredos.  The font is ancient and was retooled and brought back into the church in1867 while the brass eagle dating from 1524, it has a moulded stem and three lions at the base, it is among 40 or so pre-Reformation lecterns.  The stained glass: ‘Tree of Jesse and saints’ James Powell & Sons, 1914; ‘Scenes from the Life of Christ’, David Evans, 1841; ‘Royal Welsh Fusiliers Memorial Window’, Clayton and Bell, 1895; ‘The Virgin Mary with Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene’, James Powell &Sons, 1911; ‘Characters from the Bible’, designed Edward Coley Burne-Jones for Morris & Co, 1910; ‘Christ as the Good Shepherd, the Redeemer, the Light of the World  and as King’, James Powell & Sons, 1913; ‘St David and the Royal Welsh Fusiliers’, J A Nugent, 1989; ‘The Good Samaritan’ , Clayton & Bell, c1898; ‘Christ teaching by the Lakeside’, designed by James Eadie-Reid for the Gateshead Stained Glass Company, c1903; ‘Acts of Mercy’, Alexander Gibbs, c1896; ‘The Healing of the Lame Beggar at the Beautiful Gate and St Peter Escaping from Prison’, C E Kempe, c1902; ‘Acts of Mercy’, Alexander Gibbs, c18886; ‘Christ Healing the Sick’ C E Kempe & Co Ltd. C 1907; ‘The Healing by the Pool of Bethesda and Christ Raising the Son of the Widow  of Nain’ C E Kempe & Go Ltd, c1922; ‘Christ Healing a Boy Born Deaf and Dumb, Christ and St Peter Walking on Water and the Wedding at Cana’, C E Kempe, c1905; ‘Scenes from the Life of Christ’, Ward & Hughes, c1875. There is a ring of 10 bells, 1 cast in 1737 by Abell Rudhall, 8 cast in 1726 by Abraham II Rudhall and 1 cast in 1728 by Abraham II Rudhall

Reference

Buildings of Wales – Clwyd 2003
Cadw Listing Notice 1769
CPAT Denbighshire Historic Churches Survey
Stained Glass in Wales
A National Bell Register - George Dawson's Website - Homestead

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

Information about the church's important internal fixtures and fittings. 

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Portable Furnishings and Artworks

Information about the church's important moveable items and artworks.

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Ecology

A description of the ecology of the churchyard.

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Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

Information about the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

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Burial and War Grave Information

Records whether the church has been consecrated.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.

It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.

It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there are any war graves in the churchyard.

The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

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Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Parish Church

Churchyard Structures

Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.

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Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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Setting Significance Description:

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.

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Fabric Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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Fabric Significance Description:

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.

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Interior Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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Interior Significance Description:

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.

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Community Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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Community Significance Description:

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. 

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Church Renewables

Any renewable energy systems the church is using will be listed here.

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Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Parish Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

"Seek Advice" Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Parish Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Parish Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Parish Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Parish Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Parish Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionMon 10 Apr 2023 16:09:55
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionMon 10 Apr 2023 16:09:25
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionMon 10 Apr 2023 16:08:35
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionMon 10 Apr 2023 16:08:11
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionMon 10 Apr 2023 16:07:37
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Approximate DateMon 10 Apr 2023 16:07:28
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the National Park informationMon 10 Apr 2023 16:07:21
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Asset AddressThu 23 Mar 2023 15:40:12
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Burial and War Grave informationThu 23 Mar 2023 15:39:16
Tina AndrewCreated new asset - Imported initial recordWed 11 Nov 2015 19:06:40
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