The church of All Saints', Llanfrechfa is a Grade II* listed church in the parish of Llanfrechfa and Llanddewi Fach with Llandegveth, near Cwmbran, Torfaen, Wales.
History
The oldest part of the existing building is the porch which dates in part from the 9th century. The porch also has a 14th century carved roof.
A crenelated tower was added in the 15th century.
The nave, chancel and vestry were completely rebuilt between 1872 and 1874. A line of tiles on the inside west wall the present nave show that the previous nave was much smaller.
Speculation 1851 Religious Census shows many non-conformist chapels being built in the early 19th century - and with quite big congregations - competition?
Architecture
Vicars
Bells
The church has a ring of eight bells.
Six bells date from the 1872-74 rebuilding, and were cast by Blews and Son of Birmingham. Their inscriptions were selected from a 14th century hymn Salutatio Jesu.
- can't find any reference to this hymn anywere....
Two bells were added in 1937. An inscription on one of these bells commemorated the coronation in 1937 of King Edward VIII. This was later chiselled off and replaced with a George VI inscription.
- (What? his coronation? Would like a photo).
[Source: Out and About in Monmouthshire, by Fred Hando, R. H. Johns Ltd., Newport, 1958]
All the bells were restored, re-hung and re-hallowed for the Millennium celebrations.
- Table of bells and pitches?
- link to website for bell-ring details.
Everything below was copied from Christchurch, Hampstead - CHANGE
The church has a ring of eight bells, the heaviest of which weighs in at 24cwt.[1] They were installed in 2005 after Michael Royalton-Kisch, the current tower captain, single-handedly raised £100,000 to replace the old, unsafe bells.[2] The current band practices on a Wednesday evening at 7pm, and rings for most Sunday services.
The treble, tenor, third and fifth bells were the work of Gillett & Johnston, adopted from St Luke's in Cowley, Oxford.[3] The remaining four bells were cast by Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 2005.
| Bell | Weight | Note | Cast | Founder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treble | 6-0-1 | Eb | 1938 | Gillett & Johnston |
| 2 | 6-3-2 | D | 2005 | Whitechapel Bell Foundry |
| 3 | 7-0-26 | C | 1938 | Gillett & Johnston |
| 4 | 8-0-4 | Bb | 2005 | Whitechapel Bell Foundry |
| 5 | 10-2-12 | Ab | 1938 | Gillett & Johnston |
| 6 | 12-1-26 | G | 2005 | Whitechapel Bell Foundry |
| 7 | 17-0-8 | F | 2005 | Whitechapel Bell Foundry |
| Tenor | 24-0-5 | Eb | 1938 | Gillett & Johnston |
Organ
- Anything about this?
Stained Glass
A magnificent collection of stained glass is to be found throughout the church.
Mostly from 1874, but also 1916 and 1993.
Submersible Baptistry
Under a heavy oak top is a unique submersible baptistry, dated 1873, which is a long stone bath lined in lead for total immersion baptisms.
Why is this considered unique?
Graveyard
People?
Outside in the churchyard is a Medieval Preaching Cross, still used at Rogationtide for the blessing of crops. Restorations.
Wildlife
Today
Services, community
References
- ^ "Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers entry for Christ Church". dove.cccbr.org.uk. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
- ^ White, Michael (2005-12-04). "Ask not for whom the bells of Hampstead Heath toll". Telegraph. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
- ^ "Matthew Higby's Recent Work". bell-hangers.com. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
Arthur Wright in his book "Church Bells of Monmouthshire" Hando Pevsner Primrose Hockey
Gwent Wildlife Trust 1851 Religious Census
External links
Category:Churches in Torfaen
Category:Grade II* listed churches
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Torfaen
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