Religious Buildings
Llandaff Cathedral
The first religious community was established here 1400 years ago by three Celtic missionaries who sailed up the Taff, the most important being St. Teilo who lies buried near the high altar. This continued until Norman times and the conquest of Glamorgan when it was destroyed and replaced by a new Norman one, although a Celtic Cross still stands in the south choir isle. It was rebuilt again in the 13th Century in the Gothic style. During the reign of Henry VIII there began a long period of neglect and decay. During Civil War it was used as an Ale House and by 18th C it was a ruin. Present Cathedral built in 19th Century - part destroyed by wartime air-raid in 1941, and rebuilt, the interior dominated by Epstein's modernist controversial sculpture, Christ in Majesty.
St John's Church, Cardiff city centre
First built as an independent chapel inside city walls in the 12th C until 1404 when rebuilt it became Cardiff's parish church. The handsome building with its 132ft tower built in 1473 and peal of ten bells is an eloquent reminder of its part in the history of the city. Sunday Services 11am and 6pm. Free admission. Donations welcome. Tea rooms open Wed to Sat.
Ewenny Priory
Fortified religious building, one of the most exceptional in Britain founded by Norman nobleman Maurice de Londres in 1141 which continued to flourish through medieval times until dissolved by Henry VIII. It then came into the hands of the Carne family, the heiress married into the Turberille family who still live in the Priory today. The nave is still used as the local parish church, whilst the eastern part with its ancient tombs including that of Maurice de Londres in unused except during the annual Vale of Glamorgan Festival when it provides an evocative setting for classical and choral music. Free admission.
St Illtud's Church, Llanwit Major
(meaning sacred enclosure) A magnificent medieval church on the site of a 5th C Monastry - houses a collection of medieval crosses- burial place of the Kings of Glywyssing.
Tintern Abbey
Sited on a riverbank in the wooded Wye Valley the appeal of this exceptional religious house remains as enduring as ever, the best preserved medieval abbey in Wales. Founded by the Cistercian monks in 1131 and largely rebuilt in the late 13th century the shell of the abbey lies open to the skies, an outstanding example of the elaborate decorated style of Gothic architecture. Wordsworth was inspired by his visit to write his famous poem, composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey. Website
St David's Cathedral, Charles Street, Cardiff
Built in 1887 as an ordinary church, this became a Cathedral and seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff in 1916.
St Donat's Church, Welsh St Donats
We do not know who St. Donat (or Dunwyd in Welsh) was. The earliest record of the church is an Capella Sancti Donati (the chapel of St. Donat) in 1153. The church was restored in1891 and is in the Early English style with an ancient oak roof and a pre-Reformation sanctus bell. Guests staying at Bryn-y-Ddafad can walk to the church (approx one mile) via the public footpath - access directly opposite.
St Cadoc's Church, Pendoylan
St. Cadoc was an Abbot and Confessor who ruled Glamorgan as Abbot King from the Monastry in Llancarfan until just before his death in 570 and it is probable that the original church in Pendoylan was founded by him during his lifetime. The present building is in the Norman style and has a massive embattled western tower, which may be late medieval, another medieval feature being the stairs to the rood loft.
Church of St Mary, Monknash
Site of a monastic grange (manor house and farm) belonging to Neath Abbey, the remains of which are to be found behind the Plough and Harrow Inn. The inn itself was part of the monastic buildings and has been a hostelry for over 500 years. The church is Norman and the roof is said to be made of timbers recovered from the wrecks of the Spanish Armada.
Llancarfan Church
Historic church, site of St. Cadoc's Celtic Monastry in the Dark Ages. St. Cadoc's body remained at the Monastry until the 9th C when it was moved to Monmouthshire to escape the Viking Raids and its whereabouts since are unknown. When the Normans came to Glamorgan they closed the monastry about 1097.
Penmark Church
12th Century church dedicated to St. Mary.
Llandough Church - near Cowridge
The Gwenllian Walsh Brass, the only medieval brass in the Vale of Glamorgan can be found here.
Marcross Church of the Holy Trinity
Built by the Normans in the 12th Centurry, it has an unusual font and a tower with a gabled roof and leper's window from which people with infectious diseases could see the altar. In the churchyard a bronze sundial is mounted on a medieval cross.
Merthyr Mawr Church
Mid- 19th Century but built on an ancient site - stones dating from the 5th Ceentury have been found here.
Llangynwyd Church, near Bridgend
Tall towered church . Celtic poet Wil Hopcyn whose tragic love for local girl, Ann Thomas is remembered in the Welsh Legend "The Maid of Cefn Ydfa". Both are buried here.
Church of St Ceinwyr, Llangeinor, nr. Bridgend
This site has been place of worship for almost 1500 years, Norman tower built on foundations dating back to 6th Century.
Newton Church, nr. Porthcawl
Imposing limestone church was originally built as fortress and was probably founded by the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem around 800 years ago. To the south of the church is St. John's Well which in the Middle Ages was claimed to have magical curative and holy properties.
St David's Well, Nottage, nr. Porthcawl
Holy well - many links between the village of Nottage and St. David, patron saint of Wales.
Church of St Mary Magdalen (or Mawdlam), Kenfig
This church first appeared in historic records in 1255.
St Illtyds, Llantwit Major
The first seat of learning in the UK (listed in the Guiness Book of Records).
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