Church Heritage Cymru

Church Heritage Cymru 3713

  • Home
Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentAudit

St Mary Magd, St Clears

Name:

The name or dedication of the church.

St Mary Magd, St Clears
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.

3713
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.

Carmarthen
Parish:

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

Please enter a number

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 II* 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 not in a National Park

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 in a Conservation Area

Please enter a number

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
 **************

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

Work in progress - can you help?

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.

St Clears is a town of two haves divided by the deep cutting of the A40. The older part, High Street runs south to the river while the present centre of the town runs along the old Carmarthen road. It was first settled by the Normans who built a fort here to guard the highest point of navigation on the river Taf. The was a Cluniac Priory here between c1100 and 1414. The quay on the river was in operation until 1925. Reference Buildings of Wales –Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion 1994 The Encyclopaedia of Wales

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.
Work in progress - can you help?
 **************

Church Website

Church Website:

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

Work in progress - can you help?

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/103852/details/ [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/

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: SN 281 157

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
St Mary Magd High Street St Clears CARMARTHEN SA33 4EP

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

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

Sir Gaerfyrddin - Carmarthenshire

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.

St Clears is now bypassed by the A40 about 15km west of Carmarthen and 35km east of Haverfordwest.  The church is on the south side of the town opposite the town hall.

Reference

AA Route Planner 
Cadw Listings Notice
OS Map 158

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

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.

A Papal Bull in 1147 asked for details of abbeys, but the one in St Clears was not mentioned whereas a similar bull in 1184 shows the St Clears Priory as being a dependent house of the Cluniac Priory of St Martin-des-Champs in Parish.  When Henry V dissolved all alien houses.  Henry then granted the church to All Souls College in Oxford.  A geophysical survey in 1991 demonstrated the existence of below ground buildings to the south of the chancel.  The present church retains the chancel arch of the priory – the finest piece of Norman carving in Carmarthenshire.  The top story of the west tower was removed in 1759, in 1786 battlements were erected on the tower at the base of the steeple (now removed).  In 1853-1855 the church was restored to the designs by the architect R K Penson.  A vestry was added and the nave was re-fenestrated, re-roofed and re-seated.  The firm of John Middleton and Sons, architects of Cheltenham and Westminster carried out further restoration between 1883-1884, the vestry was enlarged and a marble fireplace and chimney added in the vestry.  The chancel was re-roofed, re-floored and re-plastered.  In 1898 heating apparatus and a chamber were installed and then in 1914 the present organ was installed onto a gallery of 1909.

Reference

Buildings of Wales –Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion 1994
Cadw Listings Notice
Coflein 103852
Abbeys & Priories of Medieval Wales Janet Burton and Kate Stöber 2015

Exterior Description

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

Constructed in limestone rubble with Bath stone dressings the church is one a three-bay chancel, a four-bay nave and west tower of three stories and a vestry.  There are concrete tiles to the nave roof and slates to the chancel roof.  The tower has corbelled battlements and a south east stair tower.

Reference

Buildings of Wales –Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion 1994
Cadw Listings Notice
Coflein  103852

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 C12 chancel arch is exceptional in the quality of its carvings, it is a depressed arch of 2 thick rounded mouldings separated by 3 steps and an outer hood mould.  There are two round shafts on each side with finely carved capitals with animal motifs, the outer one with cable vertical strips. The inner one with corner scrolls and some cable moulding.  The innermost arch is on wall piers with chamfered angles defined by incised line and with scrolls at the tops.  On the astern side between the two orders is a slot which may have held the ends of a rood screen.  The tower has a flagstone floor and a high barrel-vaulted stone ceiling.  The nave roof has arch-braced collar-trusses and a diagonally slatted timber ceiling rising from corbels.   The chancel barrelled timber ceiling is boarded and ribbed and dates from 1883/4.  The gallery is supported by plain iron columns, the pipe organ is massive and has a projecting centre section and turned sides, with tall, vertical arcaded panels above long horizontal panels.  The Norman font C12/C13 is circular on a ringed shaft on a square base, it has probably been retooled.  Throughout the church there are pitch pine box pews with vertical slatted rears with lightly decorated terminals and panelled doors.  In 1900 an octagonal oak pulpit was made by James Griffiths a carpenter of the town to designs by the vicar, the Revd F Owen, with foliate designs to the upper panels and plain horizontal panels below.  Dating from 1897 is a Gothic reredos in unvarnished oak made by Messrs T Thomason of Birmingham, it has three crocketed gables flanked by crocketed finials over a late C19 timber communion table with traceried panels.  The eagle oak lectern of 1903 is by Wippell and Co of Exeter.  The stained glass: the following windows were by Christopher Charles Powell: ‘The Call of Nathaniel,’, 1932; ‘The Beloved Physician and Paul in prison’, 1931; ‘The Risen Christ Appears to Mary Magdalene’, 1931; ‘St Christopher’, c1931; ‘The Light of the World and the Good Shepherd’, c1926; and ‘The Annunciation’ c1928; one window ‘The Crucifixion’, Mayer & Co of Munich, 1901 – it cost £140.  The bells, between 1853 and 55 the three bells were recast into four new bells, however, in 1969 a ring of 8 bells was cast by John Taylor & Co.

Reference

Buildings of Wales –Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion 1994
Cadw Listings Notice
Coflein  103852
Stained Glass in Wales
A National Bell Register - George Dawson's Website - Homestead

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.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.

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

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.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
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.

Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
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.

Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
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.

Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
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. 

Work in progress - can you help?

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 Interior DescriptionFri 08 Jan 2021 11:19:30
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionFri 08 Jan 2021 11:18:59
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionFri 08 Jan 2021 11:18:40
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionFri 08 Jan 2021 11:17:51
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionFri 08 Jan 2021 11:17:06
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Approximate DateFri 08 Jan 2021 11:16:57
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the National Park informationFri 08 Jan 2021 09:57:03
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Burial and War Grave informationFri 08 Jan 2021 09:56:53
Paul BakerModified the Grid ReferenceFri 08 Jan 2021 09:56:37
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Asset AddressFri 08 Jan 2021 09:56:15
First Previous Next Last 
Page 1 of 2 (11 items)
Page size:
Site Map  | Privacy | T & C | © 2014 - 2025 Church in Wales  | Website by exeGesIS SDM | Rev. 2.2.9173.19815
  • Home
  • Login
  • Register