Church Heritage Record

Church Heritage Record 3060

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Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentAudit

St Martin, Haverfordwest

Name:

The name or dedication of the church.

St Martin, Haverfordwest
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.

3060
Diocese:

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

St Davids
Archdeaconry:

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

St Davids
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 II* 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 the following Conservation Area: Haverfordwest

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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

Church of Saint Martin of Tours
Caption:

The name/dedication of the church and its location.

Church of Saint Martin of Tours
Description:

A brief description of the image

Looking towards the east elevation of St Martin's Church.
Year / Date:

The date the image was created.

2008
Copyright:

Details of any copyright are displayed here.

Dylan Moore
Originator:

The name of the person who uploaded the image.

Tina Andrew

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.

The large medieval Church of St Martin of Tours sits within its elevated churchyard in Haverfordwest, the County town of Pembrokeshire, and is believed to be of Norman foundation - built circa 1120 in association with the nearby Castle. It was first recorded in 1256 and today consists of a nave, chancel, south aisle, chapel and porch, north-west tower with spire, lean-to vestry (north of chancel) and coalhouse. It was heavily restored in 1864-6, although the medieval layout and much of the detail has survived. It is is constructed from limestone rubble with some Old Red Sandstone, internal plastered/rendered walls and slate roofs. Reference: Dyfed Archaeological Trust Historic Churches Survey

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.
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

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

http://parishofhaverfordwest.co.uk/st-martins

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/300433/details/ [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/
Tina Andrew (2008) Church of Saint Martin of Tours [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Church of Saint Martin of Tours
Cadw (2005) Historic Wales Report (12041) http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=12041 [Digital Archive/Data]
The list description of the Church of St Martin of Tours Haverfordwest.
Tina Andrew (unknown) St Martin of Tours Haverfordwest [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
St Martin of Tours Haverfordwest
Stained Glass in Wales (2016) St Martin of Tours Haverfordwest http://stainedglass.llgc.org.uk/site/62 [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
This is the entry from the Stained Glass in Wales database for St Martin of Tours Haverfordwest.

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: SM 951 157

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
Work in progress - can you help?

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

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

Sir Benfro - Pembrokeshire

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.

The Church of St Martin of Tours is situated in Haverfordwest, the County town of Pembrokeshire, established during the medieval period. The early town grew up around the castle which was established on a bluff overlooking the west bank of the River Cleddau. The original medieval walled settlement or “Castleton” lay immediately west and north of the castle, around the church, although neither the town wall nor its gates survive.

The medieavl St Martin’s Church sits within its elevated rectangular churchyard, bounded on the west by the major through-route of the A487, with a large 3-storey late 20th century brick building to the south and a mixture of modern and 19th century housing to the east. The imposing former late Georgian Weslyan Chapel lies to the north.

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

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

Work in progress - can you help?

Dimensions

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

Work in progress - can you help?

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

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

Work in progress - can you help?

Description of Archaeology and History

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

Believed to have been built in tandem with the castle c1120 the earliest remaining parts of the church are early C14, the tower was added in early C15 and in earlyC16 the south aisle was added together with a priest’s room over the porch.  The fabric deteriorated until the extensive repairs of 1862-5 by C E Giles of Taunton (he had then replaced the existing spire in1870 with one 15 feet taller making 49 feet (16m).  The works were supervised by a clerk of works, Jesse Harvey of the Prendergast paper mill at a cost of £2000. In the late C19 the patrons were the de Winton family of Brecon (Owners of the ‘Old Bank’ in that town – now merged into Lloyds Bank.)  As a result, it was one of very few Anglo Catholic centres in St David’s Diocese.  Between 1908 and 1953 the incumbent was Arthur Baring-Gould.  A fresco added by C G Gray of Cambridge, a wall painting specialist, has now gone.


Reference
Buildings of Wales –Pembrokeshire 2004
Cadw Listings Notice

Exterior Description

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

A Nave and Chancel with a northwest tower with spire, porch, a south aisle and lean-to addition to the chancel on its northside.  Built from brown rubble stone with slate roofs.  The thin tower is typical of South Pembrokeshire built mostly in grey limestone, it has minimal loops for its bell openings and a corbelled low parapet.  The recessed octagonal spire is built with grey limestone ashlar with three moulded bands of and finial of Forest of Dean stone.

Reference
Buildings of Wales –Pembrokeshire 2004
Cadw Listings Notice

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

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

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Fabric and Features

Information about any important features and building fabric.

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Materials

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

Work in progress - can you help?

Interior Image

St Martin of Tours Haverfordwest
Caption:

The name/dedication of the church and its location.

St Martin of Tours Haverfordwest
Description:

A brief description of the image.

Looking towards the altar at the east end of the church.
Year / Date:

The date the image was created.

unknown
Copyright:

Copyright details.

British Listed Buildings
Originator:

The name of the person who inputted the image.

Tina Andrew

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.

Just inside the porch are to be found a couple of C14 niches.  Inside the church the nave has ana arch-braced roof while the chancel has a scissor truss roof dating from 1860.  Between the nave and chancel is a fine chancel arch.  Two arches have been added to the nave to provide access to the side aisle and there is a Tudor arch between the chancel and the aisle.  The font dating from C12 has been much retooled and has a low squat bowl with angled corners on an octagonal shaft.  The large pulpit was made in 1860 from Bath stone and has blank quatrefoils.  There is a screen in the porch by H J P Thomas.  Within the church is a C13/C14 coffin lid with a foliated Latin Cross.  There is a Concrete slab of a portrait of the Virgin Mary surrounded by Shards of by Stephen Sykes, 1960s, who also worked at Coventry Cathedral.  The stained glass: ‘Christ as a Pilgrim with St Martin and St David’, c1880; ‘Christ in Glory’, Celtic Studios; ‘The Annunciation’, Christopher Charles Powell, 1940; ‘The Annunciation, Virgin and Child and Visitation’, Heaton, Butler & Bayne, 1909; ‘Christ with St Mary Magdalene, the Virgin Mary and St John’, -set against a rich blue ground- Morris & Co – designed (after) Edward Coley Burne -Jones,1921; The Nativity’, C E G Gray, 1896.  The bell dates from the C18.


Reference
Buildings of Wales –Pembrokeshire 2004
Cadw Listings Notice
A National Bell Register - George Dawson's Website - Homestead
Stained Glass in Wales

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

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

Work in progress - can you help?

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

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

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecology

A description of the ecology of the churchyard.

Work in progress - can you help?

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.

Work in progress - can you help?

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 has 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

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

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.

Work in progress - can you help?

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.

Work in progress - can you help?
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.

Work in progress - can you help?
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.

Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
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 Burial and War Grave informationFri 03 Jul 2020 10:00:30
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionThu 02 Jul 2020 14:36:15
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionThu 02 Jul 2020 14:35:37
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionThu 02 Jul 2020 14:35:12
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 15 Dec 2016 16:25:48
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 15 Dec 2016 16:25:11
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 15 Dec 2016 16:23:57
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 15 Dec 2016 16:22:33
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 15 Dec 2016 14:33:24
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionWed 07 Dec 2016 16:54:08
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