Church Heritage Cymru

Church Heritage Cymru 2925

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Ss James and Elidyr, Stackpole

Name:

The name or dedication of the church.

Ss James and Elidyr, Stackpole
Record Type:

This identifies the church type. Most churches are parish churches which means they serve a specific parish or area. Other types such as chapel, daughter and mission are mostly historic designations as many are now also parish churches. Please note that former churches are no longer used for worhsip and may be in private ownership.

Parish Church
Church code:

A unique identification number given to every church.

2925
Diocese:

The name of the diocese in which the church is located.

St Davids
Archdeaconry:

The name of the archdeaconry in which the church is located.

St Davids
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

There are 3 levels of listing: Grade I, II* & II. The majority of buildings which are of special interest are Grade II. A much smaller number of particularly important buildings are listed as Grade II*. Buildings of exceptional interest (approx 2% of the total number of listed buildings) are Grade I.

This is a Grade I Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?

Ancient monuments and archaeological remains of national importance are protected by law. Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service is responsible for compiling a schedule (list) of these ancient monuments, some of which can be found in churches and churchyards. Examples can include churchyard crosses and the archaeological remains of previous churches or buildings on the site.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

There are three National Parks in Wales: Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons. These protect 20 percent of the land in Wales, including precious landscapes, habitats, villages and heritage sites. 

The church is in the following National Park: Pembrokeshire Coast

Conservation Area

There are over 500 conservation areas in Wales. They are designated by local planning authorities for their special architectural and historic interest.

The church is not in a Conservation Area

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Buildings At Risk Status

On Buildings At Risk Register?

The Buildings at Risk register is managed by Cadw (the Welsh Government’s historic environment service) in order to identify the number and type of listed buildings at risk in Wales. 

This church is not on the Buildings at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

It is often extremely difficult to determine a precise date of construction for a church as many have been extensively altered over time. Church Heritage Cymru therefore shows a date range within which a church is believed to have been constructed. The dates are as follows: Early Medieval (pre 1066), Medieval (post 1066 to 1540), Post Medieval (1540 to 1837), Victorian/Pre WWI (1837 to 1914) and Modern (post 1914).

Medieval

Exterior Image

St James & St Elidyr, Stackpole
Caption:

The name/dedication of the church and its location.

St James & St Elidyr, Stackpole
Description:

A brief description of the image

External view of the church
Year / Date:

The date the image was created.

2017
Copyright:

Details of any copyright are displayed here.

Monkton Rectorial Benefice
Originator:

The name of the person who uploaded the image.

Tina Andrew

Summary Description

This is a very brief summary of the church's main features. More  detailed nformation can be found in the other fields and pages (tabs) in this database.

The medieval Church of St James & St Elidyr is built into a steeply sloping site and consists of a nave, chancel, north & south transepts, vestry, chapel (south of the chancel), an open south porch and tower.

Visiting and Facilities

Useful information is displayed here for people wishing to visit the church. This may include things like opening hours, catering & toilet facilities, parking, etc. 

The church is open for worship.
The church is open during daylight hours throughout the year.
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Church Website

Church Website:

If the church has its own website the details will be displayed here.

http://www.monktonrectorialbenefice.org.uk/stackpole/stackpole.html

Sources and Further Information

Any further sources of information for the church will be listed here (eg. links to other historic databases).

View information on worship and access at this church on the Church In Wales web site
RCAHMW (2004) Coflein http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/303861/details/ [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/
Cadw (1996) Historic Wales Report http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=6020 [Digital Archive/Document]
The Cadw list description for the Church of St James & St Elidyr, Stackpole.
Cadw (1996) Historic Wales Report http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=17985 [Digital Archive/Document]
The Cadw list description forf the lychgate from the Church of St James & St Elidyr.
DAT (2017) Historic Environment Record (HER) https://www.archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=DAT47491&dbname=dat&tbname=core&sessid=CHI231x1264&queryid=Q888555001589294442 [Digital Archive/Document]
The Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER for the Church of St James & St Elidyr.
DAT (2017) Historic Environment Record (HER) https://www.archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=DAT594&dbname=dat&tbname=core&sessid=CHI231x1264&queryid=Q527569001589294284 [Digital Archive/Document]
The Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER for the 6th century inscribed stone within the Church of St James & St Elidyr.
Cadw (1996) Historic Wales Report http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=18007 [Digital Archive/Document]
Preaching Cross in the churchyard of St James & St Elidyr.
Stained Glass in Wales Database (2017) The Stained Glass of St James & St Elidyr http://stainedglass.llgc.org.uk/site/98 [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
This website contains images from the Stained Glass in Wales database for St James & St Elidyr..
Tina Andrew (2003) Plan of St James & St Elidyr Stackpole [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Plan of St James & St Elidyr Stackpole
Tina Andrew (2017) St James & St Elidyr, Stackpole [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
St James & St Elidyr, Stackpole

This is the Ordnance Survey (OS) reference for the location of the church. Some locations will be approximate as this data is continuously being refined and updated.

Grid Reference: SR 987 973

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Church address

Address
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Ss James and Elidyr, Cheriton, Stackpole, Pembroke

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

This is the name of the Local Authoirity within which the church is located.

Sir Benfro - Pembrokeshire

Location and Setting

This describes how the church relates to its immediate and wider environment, sometimes called its setting. It describes how the church contributes to its landscape or townscape and how these things collectively contribute to the character of the area.

The Grade I listed Church of Saints’ James & Elidyr is located on steeply sloping site at a bend in the road of the rural hamlet of Cheriton (also known as Stackpole Elidor), just north of the village of Stackpole and 4 miles south of the town of Pembroke. It is situated in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, close to the National Trust Stackpole Estate (a listed designed landscape), which includes the famous Bosherston lily ponds and lakes, the beaches of Barafundle Bay and Broadhaven and Stackpole Quay.

Church Plan

Plan of St James & St Elidyr Stackpole
Caption:

The name/dedication of the church to which the plan refers.

Plan of St James & St Elidyr Stackpole
Description:

A brief description of the plan. eg. who created it and where it came from.

Ground plan of the church showing the unusual position of the tower (adjacent to the north transept).
Year / Date:

The date the plan was created.

2003
Copyright:

The details of any copyright are displayed here.

Mike Salter
Originator:

The name of the person who inputted the plan.

Tina Andrew

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

This is a description of the ground plan of the church.

Work in progress - can you help?

Dimensions

If known, the dimensions (measurements) of the church ground plan will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

If the footrprint (area) of the church is known, it will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Description of Archaeology and History

A description of the history and archaeology of the church and its site.

Work in progress - can you help?

Exterior Description

A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.

Plan: Built on a site partly excavated into a steeply S facing slope, the church consists of a chancel approx. 6.5 m long by 4.5 m wide and a nave approx. 17 m long by 6 m wide, with N and S transepts, a lean-to vestry N of the chancel, a chapel known as the Lort Chapel S of the chancel, and an open S porch. At the extremity of the N transept is the tower, sited to take advantage of the higher ground. A crypt beneath the chancel is now filled in, but its external access is marked by slabs with lifting rings at the NE corner of the chancel. The tower is of typical local form with a parapet carried on corbels and a stairs-turret at its NW corner. It lacks the usual crenellations, and it is of unusually slender proportions. Its ground storey has a pointed vault open to the N transept. There are two upper floors and a roof, all in crudely constructed vaulting on squinches. The ground, first and second storeys have windows or louvred openings facing N, that in the first storey now blocked. The top storey has louvred belfry openings on all four sides, of lancet form. There is a small first floor louvred opening facing E and slit lights to the spiral stairs. All in limestone masonry in large courses. Restoration: The nave and porch were rebuilt, and most of the remainder of the church refaced, by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1851 at the expense of the .;first Earl Cawdor. This was the first of the six churches on the Stackpole estate to be restored. The new exterior masonry is in snecked sandstone, the stone (Cambrian) imported from the St. David's area. Dressings are in Carboniferous sandstone. A remnant of the older sandstone exterior masonry (Old Red Sandstone, quarried locally) is still to be seen at the W side of the N transept. Rafters exposed at verges and sprocketted at eaves. Slate roofing throughout in diminishing courses with tile ridges. A small wrought-iron finial cross at the E end. Main windows restored in Decorated style. The porch rebuilt by Scott has a large open two-order exterior arch facing S with the inner order carried on corbels with rounded and moulded caps. The doorway to the nave has an equilateral arch with a dripstone terminating in male and female heads. Monuments: Numerous important monuments, including a C5/C6 inscribed pillar laid flat beneath the E window of the Lort Chapel. Two C14 female effigies on the floor of the Lort Chapel. A male and a female effigy one each side of the chancel. Jacobean monument to Roger Lort, d.l613, and his wife Abertha: Ionic columns and entablature with obelisk finials and a crest displaying their arms. Each figure in an arched frame with guilloched pilasters. Italian Baroque marble monument to Hester Lort, d.l647 and Sir John Lort, d.1672. Also many Cawdor monuments and hatchments. The stained glass window of the S transept (by O'Connor, 1862) depicts John Frederick, first Earl Cawdor, as King Solomon supervising the building of the Temple, in compliment for his restoration work.  

Reference: Cadw listed building description.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Information about any noteable architects, artists, people, or events associated with the church.

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Fabric and Features

Information about any important features and building fabric.

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Materials

If known, a list of the church's major building material/s will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Interior Image

Work in progress - can you help?

Interior Description

This section gives a general description of the interior of the church. Further details of any important internal fixtures and fittings will be listed below.

The N and S transepts have mediaeval pointed vaults of the local type. That of the S transept opens directly to the nave, but that of the N transept is at a higher level and is behind a nave wall arch. Timber roofs from the C19 restoration in nave and chancel, with a soffit form echoing the traditional local vault shape. In the Lort chapel is a vault on crudely formed ribs, with its ridge running in the unexpected N-S direction. A wide and high two-order chancel arch replaces a low and narrow one. At the E~ end of the S wall of the nave is a high window related to the rood position indicated by a surviving corbel. Very large squints connect each transept with the chancel. Minton tile paving and reredos in the chancel. In the floor the arms of Lord Cawdor are displayed (Cawdor impaling Thynne, as displayed in all Lord Cawdor's subsequent church restorations.) Oak altar table. Oak communion rails of a light and open design.  

Reference: Cadw listed building description.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

Information about the church's important internal fixtures and fittings. 

Work in progress - can you help?

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

Information about the church's important moveable items and artworks.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecology

A description of the ecology of the churchyard.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

Information about the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

Work in progress - can you help?

Burial and War Grave Information

Records whether the church has been consecrated.

The church/building is consecrated.

Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.

The churchyard has been used for burial.

Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.

It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there are any war graves in the churchyard.

The churchyard has war graves.

National Heritage Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Parish Church

Churchyard Structures

Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.

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LYCH GATE (Victorian)

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

High
Setting Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship of the church to its surrounding area and helps place it within its wider landscape context.

The Grade I listed Church of Saints’ James & Elidyr is located within the wider Stackpole Estate (a listed designed landscape) and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Fabric Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

High
Fabric Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the significance of the historic building fabric of the church.

An important medieval church of regional type restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
Interior Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

High
Interior Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the historic significance of the interior of the church.

The interior contains a fine collection of effigies associated with local gentry families.
Community Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Moderate
Community Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship between the church and its community. 

Part of the original Stackpole estate.

Church Renewables

Any renewable energy systems the church is using will be listed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Parish Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

"Seek Advice" Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Parish Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Parish Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Parish Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Parish Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Parish Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Burial and War Grave informationFri 30 Oct 2020 10:19:06
Tina AndrewModified asset source linkTue 12 May 2020 15:40:21
Tina AndrewModified asset source linkTue 12 May 2020 15:39:18
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionThu 23 Aug 2018 14:50:13
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionThu 23 Aug 2018 14:49:54
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionThu 23 Aug 2018 14:49:08
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionThu 23 Aug 2018 14:35:52
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionThu 23 Aug 2018 14:35:04
Tina AndrewAdded exterior feature typeThu 23 Aug 2018 14:19:02
Tina AndrewAdded exterior feature typeThu 23 Aug 2018 14:17:01
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