Church Heritage Record

Church Heritage Record 5454

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Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentAudit

St Peter, Pontardawe

Name:

The name or dedication of the church.

St Peter, Pontardawe
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.

Daughter Church
Church code:

A unique identification number given to every church.

5454
Diocese:

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

Swansea and Brecon
Archdeaconry:

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

Gower
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 not 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).

Victorian/Pre-WWI

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.

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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.

http://parish.churchinwales.org.uk/s238

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/13411/details/ [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/
Paul Baker (2017) 5454 - St Peter-Llangiwg -chcchurchplan [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
5454 - St Peter-Llangiwg -chcchurchplan

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: SN 723 042

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 Peter High Street Pontardawe SWANSEA SA8 4JN

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

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

Castell-nedd Port Talbot - Neath Port Talbot

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 occupies a prominent position on the south side of Pontardawe High Street.  Pontardawe is a former steel town in the Swansea Valley some 15 km north east of Swansea City Centre.  The spire dominates the valley.

References

Route Planner  Directions, traffic and maps  AA

 

Church Plan

5454 - St Peter-Llangiwg -chcchurchplan
Caption:

The name/dedication of the church to which the plan refers.

5454 - St Peter-Llangiwg -chcchurchplan
Description:

A brief description of the plan. eg. who created it and where it came from.

St Peter's Church Llangiwg (Pontardawe)
Year / Date:

The date the plan was created.

2017
Copyright:

The details of any copyright are displayed here.

Steven Mathews
Originator:

The name of the person who inputted the plan.

Paul Baker

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 building was paid for by W M Parsons the local ironmaster, colliery and tinplate-works owner who employed  J H Baylis, a young and inexperienced architect from Swansea.  It was built between 1858 and 1860 and was consecrated  in 1862.  It is an example of Ecclesesiological rectitude.

There is one memorial north of the church porch to Aircraftman 1st Class Jeremih Albert aged 19  died 07/09/1942

Note an early Diocesan Secretary  (Mr Gilbertson) from the Diocse of Swansea and Becon was the ower of the local steelworks, his letters were typed from the steelworks office and he carried out his functions as Diocesan Secretary after hours.

Reference

Buildings of Wales - Glamorgan

War Graves Commission

Exterior Description

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

Beneath a soaring spire (197 ft or 60m high) above a west tower which dominates the town, the church has a lofty nave with two side aisles, with a chancel at the east end with a lobby and vestry to the south. The spire was designed to be as high as it is so that it could be higher than Parsons' steel works chimneys all of which have now gone.

The church is built from local (Pennant) squared sandstone rubble with Bath stone dressings and red plain roof tiles (banded tones on chancel and organ chamber).

References

Buildings of Wales - Glamorgan

CADW Listing notice

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 Fabric and Features

Building Materials

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

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Building Materials

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.

A three-bayed chancel with an organ by W G Vowles Ltd of Bristol - given by Arthur Gilberston in 1864 -  with a five-bay nave produces an overwhelming sense of loftiness.  Slender clustered piers with naturalistic leaf – carvings imitate the chapter house at Southwell Minster.  There are ballflower nestlings in the arch mouldings.  There is a multi-shafted chancel arch.  There are marble floors to the chancel and sanctuary

Furnishings and Artworks

There is an oak altar in front of a reredos of 1894 ashlar with red marble column shafts, big centre gable flanked by ogee-canopied statues of SS Peter and Paul, surmounted by large pinnacles, gold mosaic centre panel with Lamb of God Motif, 4-bay Gothic arcade each side with green marble infill to panels, and marble facing to wall below. The Communion Rails are wrought iron with telescopic closer on timber uprights. The pine choir stalls have poppy head finials

The  Caen stone ornate pulpit of 1860 with 6 statues of saints under canopies at angles, has pendants beneath, and winding stair with iron and brass rail.

There is an ornate three-sided Caen stone reading desk dated 1860 with open ogee arched sides with carved spandrels and column shafts, with the  carving repeated even on inside.

In South aisle is a1860 Caen stone panelled font with chamfered corners and open shaft work. 

Within the church is a marble kneeling angel holding a shell, a copy of Thorwaldsen's font in the church of Our Lady in Copenhagen.

Single bell of 1873 cast by Naylor Vickers

Gothic Marble plaque of 1907 to William Parson 1795- 1864 the donor.

The collection of stained glass includes ‘Passion and Crucifixion' to W Parsons and family, it has rich colours and was created  by R J Newbery 1894 or c1907; ''SS Elizabeth of Hungary & Luke' dedicated to Dr W O Evans c 1966; 'SS Anne and Agatha' window to Mona Evans signed Eric Dilworth of Twickenham 1966;  c1900 to Children of Dr W O Evans by A L Moore; 'Christ and Mary Magdalene' to Mary Edmunds by 1954 by Celtic Studios, 'SS Teilo, David & Ciwg' by Kempe & Co 1922, 'Christ with SS Peter & Mary' 1885 given by Griffith Lewis; 'Christ stilling the tempest' 1968 to S Lewis;  'Annunciation' by Celtic Studios to Diana Lewis (d1955); 'Resurrection' in style of Clayton & Bell or Hardman to Eliza Gilbertson (d1868); 'Christ at Bethany with S Luke and Mary of Bethany' by A L Moore by Dr G Griffiths; 'Nunc Dimittis' by Kempe and Co 1921 to Lewis Lewis.

 

Buildings of Wales - Glamorgan

CADW Listing notice

Quinquennial Inspection Reports

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

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

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Internal Fixtures and Fittings

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

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

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Portable Furnishings and Artworks

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 Daughter Church.

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

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

The church/building is consecrated.

Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.

The churchyard has been used for burial.

Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.

The churchyard is used for burial.

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 Daughter Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Daughter 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 Daughter Church

Churchyard Structures

Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.

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ARCHITECTURAL COMPONENT

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

High
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.

The Church is also known as the Cathedral of the Swansea Valley
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.

Moderate
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.

Quality fittings and stained glass
Community Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Moderate
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. 

Significant in terms of local history and the history of the metal workings of the Swansea Valley

Church Renewables

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

Solar PV Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown
EV Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

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 Daughter 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 Daughter 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 Daughter 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 Daughter 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 Daughter 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 Daughter Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Asset AddressTue 09 Apr 2024 11:26:34
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionFri 07 Jul 2023 14:46:29
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionFri 07 Jul 2023 14:45:16
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionFri 07 Jul 2023 14:44:55
Paul BakerAdded a plan of the buildingWed 03 May 2017 12:28:46
Paul BakerAdded exterior feature typeTue 04 Apr 2017 15:26:17
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionTue 04 Apr 2017 15:25:34
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionTue 04 Apr 2017 15:23:30
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionTue 04 Apr 2017 15:22:01
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionTue 04 Apr 2017 15:20:38
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