St Peter's Church

The Church of St Peter (and St Cynidr) is located outside the Welsh village of Glasbury and dates back to the sixth century.[1] Near the confluence of the rivers Wye and Llynfi, the church has experienced serious flooding which has required it to be rebuilt twice, in 1665 and 1838.[2] The current church is designated a Grade II listed building and is open to the public for worship.[3][4]

History

Original church (6th–17th centuries)

The religious cell and subsequent church was founded in Glasbury by Saint Cynidr in the 6th century; he is believed to be buried on the site.[2][1] In the 12th century the church was reinforced with stone materials, and this is likely to be when it was rededicated to Saint Peter.[1] The church has historical ties with England as it was dedicated to the monks of Gloucester in 1088 and supplied its tithe income to St Peter's Abbey.[2] St Peter's Church underwent some administrative changes in the 16th and 17th centuries, with the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1540[1] being followed by the wider political changes of the Commonwealth period (1649–1660) and Restoration (1660), which resulted in a tumultuous turnover of clergy.[1]

Destruction and reconstruction (17th–19th centuries)

St Peter's Church in about 1910

The original church was located on low-lying land and was damaged by severe floods in the 17th century which altered the course of the River Wye.[5] In 1663 construction of a replacement church began on higher ground to the south-west of the original structure; this was completed in 1665.[2] This land was acquired from Sir Henry Williams of Gwernyfed.[1] Thomas Stock was the vicar of the Church from 1778 to 1804. In the 1820s the church was deemed insufficient due to its limited capacity and poor state; therefore, a decision was made to rebuild it once again.[1]

Second rebuilding (19th century – present)

A new church was built in 1836–1838 and is the present-day St Peter's Church, which remains an active place of worship.[1] This new building cost £3,000 and was designed by the London architect Lewis Vulliamy in the Norman Revival style of architecture.[3] Further renovations were made in the next century, with the addition of a chancel and organ chamber added in 1881 and 1910 respectively.[6] In addition to its traditional interior, St Peter's contains a stained glass window designed by Sir Ninian Comper and memorials to local people who died in the First World War, including three of the church's bell ringers.[2] The exterior is marked by a dry-stone wall which encloses the 1.4-hectare (3.5-acre) churchyard.[7] St Peter's Church was listed at Grade II in 1995, with a couple of other notable Grade II listed monuments on its premises, including the Hughes Monument and an 18th-century sundial.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gill, Margaret (2012). "A Chapter on the Churches and Chapels in the Parish of Glasbury". Brycheiniog. XLIII.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "History Points – Church of Saints Peter and Cynidr, Glasbury". historypoints.org. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Church of St Cynidr and St Peter". Cadw. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "St Peter, Glasbury". heritage.churchinwales.org.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "Glasbury St Peters Church. Opening hours vary. Free entry. – See Around Britain". seearoundbritain.com. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  6. ↑ "St Peter's Church". Coflein. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "Glasbury: St Peter's – Caring For God's Acre". Retrieved 23 March 2022.

52°02′21″N 3°12′04″W / 52.0391°N 3.2010°W / 52.0391; -3.2010

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