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.
Newton is about 2km northeast of Porthcawl along the A4016 towards Bridgend. The church fronts onto the village green in the centre of the village.
Reference AA Route Planner OS Map 171 Historic Wales Listing notice 11214
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 a C12 church possibly founded by William earl of de Sandford one of the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. In the present churchyard is a well named after him, the level of which is influenced by the tides and it acquired a reputation for miracles and healing and became the focus of an open-air spa in the 1920 and 1930s.The first rector was installed in 1189. Jasper Tudor who was Duke of Bedford and Uncle to Henry VII ordered substantial refurbishments between 1485 and 1495. Restoration took place 1860-1 under the direction of John Prichard of Llandaff when the fabric was given a general repair and the high-backed pews were removed, the contractor was W A James of Cowbridge and the cost was £610. In 1885, again under the direction of John Prichard the church was enlarged, an organ chamber was constructed on the north side of the chancel thus allowing the west door to be opened to the congregation, the rood loft doorway was exposed, the timbers of the chancel roof were exposed by the removal of plaster and the internal walls of the church were replastered. The enlargement provided space for 60 extra people and the cost was £200. In 1903 the tower was restored and the parapets were repaired all under the direction of G E Halliday, the Diocesan Architect. In 1927 the nave was refloored, the porch reroofed, the south doors of the nave and chancel were replaced and oak stalls were provided in the chancel. A church meeting room was provided and a vestry wing added in 1993.
Reference Buildings of Wales – Glamorgan 2001 Historic Wales Listing notice 11214 Church Building and Restoration in Victorian Glamorgan Geoffrey R Orrin 2004
A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.
The church was built from roughly coursed grey rubble with grey or yellow ashlar dressings which contrast with the greenish brown sandstone used for the exuberantly carved dressings, all beneath a slate roof with stone apex finials. It has a large west tower, a nave with a south porch, a chancel and north east chapel and a north wing. The tower is dominating and defensive with a saddleback roof and embattled and corbelled parapets and is surmounted by a compass weather vane. On the west face of the tower is a corbel reputedly to be the face of John the Baptist. The south porch is medieval with swept and overhanging eaves, ridge stones, copings and kneelers. The chancel has a square headed priest’s doorway with heavy hood moulding with angel stops. On the south east and northeast sides are tired diagonal buttresses which end in bulky finals with crockets and gargoyles at each corner.
The graveyard contains graves of sailors and rescuers, causalities from the Bristol Channel
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.
The plastered interior has been limewashed with the dressings exposed, the nave roof is of 6 bays, boarded with arch braces to a low ridge beam, each truss springs from boss-like corbels. The chancel has a 4-bay wagon roof with beams, guiled bosses The tower arch is pointed using giant blocks making it high and wide, the wall is rounded into piers. In contrast the chancel arch is simple and pointed with a very deep plinth and shallow capitals which incorporate the supports for the former rood loft. To the left of the ach, steps lead to the rare medieval carved stone pulpit, the figures in relief depict ‘The Flagellation’ with vine scrolls above, behind is a chamfered four-centred arch with two angels holding a chalice and the remains of a wall painting. In the northeast corner of the nave is a further wall painting depicting John the Baptist. The chancel and nave floors are level and there are three stone steps into the sanctuary which has unusually pale encaustic tiles with dark insets and borders moulded wall plates each bearing painted shields depicting the instruments of the Passion. The stained glass: ‘Christ with St Peter and St John’, Morris & Co designed by Edward Coley Burne-Jones, 1877; ‘The Annunciation and the Risen Christ Appearing to St Mary Magdalene, 1881; ‘St Catherine and the Good Samaritan’,1887; ‘Love One Another’, c1887; ‘Dorcas and St Margaret’ 1892’; Peter’s Commission’, Robert J Newbery, c 1903; ‘Christ Enthroned in the New Jerusalem with Scenes from the Old Testament’, Henry Holiday, 1919; ‘St Francis’, Wippell & Co Ltd, 1980. The church has eight bells, six cast in 1905 by Llewellins & James in 1905 and two cast by John Taylor & Co in 1961. Four of these bells are thought to have been C17 and recast by Llewellins & James and the cast iron bell frame by the same firm dates to 1906.
Reference
Buildings of Wales – Glamorgan 2001 Stained Glass in Wales Historic Wales Listing notice 11214 Church Building and Restoration in Victorian Glamorgan Geoffrey R Orrin 2004 A National Bell Register - George Dawson's Website - Homestead
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.