St Mary's Church, Derwen
St Mary's Church, Derwen | ||
---|---|---|
Style Gothic | | |
Groundbreaking | 13th century | |
Closed | 1988–99 | |
Specifications | ||
Materials | Body of church gritstone, porch shale, roof slate |
St Mary's Church, Derwen, is a redundant church in the centre of the village of Derwen, Denbighshire, Wales. It is designated by Cadw as a Grade I listed building,[1] and is under the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches.[2]
History
The structure of the present church is thought to originate from the 13th century, although because the churchyard is round in shape, it is likely that there had been an earlier church on the site. Additions and modifications were made during the following centuries. Dating from the pre-
Architecture
Structure
The body of the church is constructed in local
Fittings and furniture
The floor of the nave is flagged, the chancel has a wood-block floor, and the sanctuary has encaustic tiles. The outstanding feature of the interior is the rood screen which has retained its loft. It is finely carved with Perpendicular features.[1] The font is dated 1665.[3] The rest of the furniture dates from the 19th century. This includes a large, carved, octagonal pulpit, an oak altar, and an octagonal font. The stained glass in the south chancel window was designed by H. E. Wooldridge and made by James Powell and Sons; it is dated 1869 and depicts the Nativity, the Resurrection and the Ascension.[1]
Associated structures
In the churchyard is a
On the west side of the churchyard is a building known as Church House. This dates from the 17th century or earlier. It has two storeys, with large openings to the north and south in the ground floor, now walled up. It is likely that this was a hearse house or a lych gate. The upper storey is approached by external stairs, and was originally a parish room or a vestry. It was restored and re-roofed in 1905, and is listed at Grade II.[8]
Critique
The church is listed by Cadw at Grade I because of its "possessing an exceptionally complete rood screen and loft and otherwise retaining much of its mediaeval character".[1] The architectural historian Edward Hubbard states "the church indeed enjoys the rare good fortune of having a rood screen which retains its loft".[9] Of the churchyard cross, the Royal Commission in 1914 described it as "a monument especially worthy of preservation", and the Cadw listing describes it as "a fine example of late pre-Reformation stonecarving".[6]
References
- ^ National Historic Assets of Wales, retrieved 2 April 2019
- ^ a b Derwen St Mary, Friends of Friendless Churches, archived from the original on 1 July 2011, retrieved 24 July 2010
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7112-3154-2
- ^ UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ Derwen: Church History, GENUKI, retrieved 24 July 2010
- ^ a b Cadw, "Cross in churchyard of St Mary's Church (Grade II*) (726)", National Historic Assets of Wales, retrieved 2 April 2019
- ^ Cadw, "Sundial in churchyard of St Mary's Church (Grade II) (24343)", National Historic Assets of Wales, retrieved 2 April 2019
- ^ Cadw, "Church House (Grade II) (727)", National Historic Assets of Wales, retrieved 2 April 2019
- ISBN 0-14-071052-3