Church of the Holy Cross, Mwnt

The Church of the Holy Cross (Welsh: Eglwys y Grog) at Mwnt, Ceredigion, Wales, is a parish church[1] and Grade I listed building dating probably from the 13th century.[2]

Church of the Holy Cross
small whitewashed church under slate roof in a walled churchyard with gravestones, and a glimpse of the sea beyond
Church of the Holy Cross is located in Ceredigion
Church of the Holy Cross
Church of the Holy Cross
Location in Ceredigion
52°08′11″N 4°38′16″W / 52.1365°N 4.6377°W / 52.1365; -4.6377
CountryWales
DenominationChurch in Wales
History
DedicationHoly Cross
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade I
Designated21 September 1964
Architectural typeChurch

History

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The Church of the Holy Cross is an example of a medieval sailors' chapel of ease. The site is said to have been used since the Age of the Saints, but the present building is probably 14th-century. It has an example of a 12th- or 13th-century font made of Preseli stone. Mwnt was a civil parish in its own right for several centuries, but before the 17th century it was a detached chapelry of the parish of Llangoedmor. Since 1934, it has been part of the parish of Y Ferwig.[1][2][3]

The building was restored in 1853 and again after storm damage in 1917. A 1912 photograph shows the south windows in different positions.

Vandalism

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In December 2021 the church was extensively vandalised; within days, an international fundraising appeal had achieved its target of £20,000. Discussions on safety and security were planned.[4]

Structure

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Interior

The interior is a single chamber with deep-set windows and an unusual roof type. The font is 13th century; the hexagonal pulpit is Victorian.

Externally, the church is whitewashed rubble stone walls under a slate roof. The small, enclosed churchyard contains a number of graves; monumental inscriptions are held by Dyfed Family History Society.[1][2][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "GENUKI: Mwnt". Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "British Listed Buildings: Church of the Holy Cross, Mwnt, Y Ferwig". Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b Cadw. "Church of the Holy Cross (Grade I) (15874)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Vandalised Mwnt church passes £20k fundraising target". BBC News. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
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