The name or dedication of the church.
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.
A unique identification number given to every church.
The name of the diocese in which the church is located.
The name of the archdeaconry in which the church is located.
This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.
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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.
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 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.
There are over 500 conservation areas in Wales. They are designated by local planning authorities for their special architectural and historic interest.
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.
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).
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.
Useful information is displayed here for people wishing to visit the church. This may include things like opening hours, catering & toilet facilities, parking, etc.
If the church has its own website the details will be displayed here.
Any further sources of information for the church will be listed here (eg. links to other historic databases).
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.
This is the name of the Local Authoirity within which the church is located.
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.
Pontargothi is on the A40 – 10km east of Carmarthen and 15km west of Llandeilo, the church is 1km to the north of the village in the area known as the Grove.
Reference
AA Route Planner NPRN 192 OS Map 159
This is a description of the ground plan of the church.
If known, the dimensions (measurements) of the church ground plan will be displayed here.
If the footrprint (area) of the church is known, it will be displayed here.
A description of the history and archaeology of the church and its site.
This is one of the most significant, elaborate churches in Wales with a well preserved internal decorative scheme. It was built between 1865 and 1878 to the designs of Benjamin Bucknall on behalf of Henry James bath of Allyferin whose death delayed the completion of the work and the church was not dedicated until 1878. Bucknall was influenced by the work of Viollet-le-Duc in its styles of combinations of forms. (Viollet-le-Du was a French architect whose theories of rational design are linked to the revivalism of the Romantic period.)
Buildings of Wales –Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion 1994 NPRN 192
A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.
A church built in simple Romanesque style with some Gothic detailing constructed of local stone with bath stone dressings, a 4-bay nave with a narrower 2-bay chancel with a Gothic timber spirelet above, a northeast vestry and a west gabled entrance. The bargeboards are modern.
Reference Buildings of Wales –Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion 1994 NPRN 192
Information about any noteable architects, artists, people, or events associated with the church.
Information about any important features and building fabric.
If known, a list of the church's major building material/s will be displayed here.
Any renewable energy systems the church is using will be listed here.
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.
A wagon roof is to be found in the nave with a keeled wagon roof in the chancel and at the west end of the nave is a glazed wooden porch screen. This is a rich interior once spoilt by the use of oil lamps and a brass candelabra the church was due to be restored in 2006. The nave has a moulded band beneath the roof and then a painted acanthus frieze below which is a band of fictive blocks. There is a painted bath stone reredos with alabaster Alpha and Omega panels flanking a taller cross with scrolled iron altar rails. From a later date are: an alabaster pulpit with arcading on green veined marble shafts, the font of 1900 and a brass eagle lectern of 1904.
The walls and roofs are covered with 31 individual wall painting, the work of Arthur Stanwell of Taunton. These are sequenced chronologically from west to east: New Testament scenes including the raising of Lazarus and suffer the children. On the north wall from the west are God’s words to Adam; Abraham and Isaac; Moses and Job; the righteous entering the Kingdom and the poor widow. On the south wall from the east are the Prodigal son, washing of feet, St Mary Magdalene. Flanking the chancel arch are the wise and foolish virgins. In the Chancel SS Peter and Paul just inside the arch, and scenes from the life of Christ, from the Annunciation to the Betrayal. The scenes here are slightly more coloured, with detail picked out in gold and there is painted drapery at the dado.
The stained glass is by Clayton & Bell: ‘Christ in Majesty with Scenes from the Gospels and Donors’, c1870; The east window – ‘Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension’, c1870; ‘Prophets and Evangelists’, c1870; ‘Angels’, c1870.
Buildings of Wales –Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion 1994 NPRN 192 Stained Glass in Wales
Information about the church's important internal fixtures and fittings.
Information about the church's important moveable items and artworks.
A description of the ecology of the churchyard.
Information about the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.
Records whether the church has been consecrated.
Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.
Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.
Records whether there are any war graves in the churchyard.
Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.
Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.
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.
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.
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.
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.