Church Heritage Cymru

Church Heritage Cymru 5190

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St Michael, Llantarnam

Name:

The name or dedication of the church.

St Michael, Llantarnam
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.

Daughter Church
Church code:

A unique identification number given to every church.

5190
Diocese:

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

Monmouth
Archdeaconry:

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

Gwent Valleys
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 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 a 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 the following Conservation Area: Llantarnam

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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

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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.

Llantarnam was the home of a monastery established in1179 by Hywel ap Iorwerth, Lord of Caerleon, it was a Cistercian foundation and a daughter house to Strata Florida. At Dissolution there were six monks and the monastery had an annual income of £71. The northern part of the community is essentially part of the Cwmbran New Town. Reference 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.
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Church Website

Church Website:

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

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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/307297/details/ [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/
GGAT (2016) Historic Environment Record http://www.cofiadurcahcymru.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?prn=GGAT00622g [Digital Archive/Data]
http://www.ggat.org.uk/her/her.html
Cadw (2003) Historic Wales Report http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=3121 [Digital Archive/Document]
Cadw listed building description for St Michael, Llantarnam
Cadw (2003) Historic Wales Report http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=3122 [Digital Archive/Document]
Churchyard cross at St Michael, Llantarnam
Cadw (2003) Historic Wales Report http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=81870 [Digital Archive/Document]
Memorial to T Leadbetter in churchyard of St Michael, Llantarnam

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: ST 306 931

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Church address

Address
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
St Michael Llantarnam CWMBRAN NP44 3BP

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

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

Tor-faen - Torfaen

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.

Llantarnam is 6km north of Newport along the A4042, the church is on the south east side of Newport Road 140m south west of its junction with Llantarnam Road.

Reference
AA Route Planner 
OS Map 171
Cadw Listing Notice 3121

Church Plan

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Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

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

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Dimensions

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

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Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

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

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Description of Archaeology and History

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

Anglican parish church, medieval, with mostly C15 surviving details, and C15-C16 W tower. Nave possibly of C12-C13 origins (see blocked small nave N window), chancel and NE memorial chapel, of uncertain origins, all much altered in C15-16, the chapel arcade to the chancel possibly later C16, co-eval with the alabaster memorial to one of the Morgan family of Pentrebach and Llantarnam Abbey. The broken upper string course on the NE chapel suggests that the present late C15 to C16 windows are inserted. Restored 1869-70 by E.A. Lansdowne who replaced the roofs and added the porch, and in 1921 by Sir Harold Brakspear who took the plaster off the walls. David Lewis Catholic priest hanged at Usk and later canonised was arrested in a cottage opposite the church. In the churchyard is the grave of John Fielding (died 1932) who won the Victoria Cross at Rorke's Drift in 1879.
 

Exterior Description

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

Anglican parish church, rubble stone with slate roofs. W tower, S porch, nave, chancel, and large NE chapel. Tower is late C15 to early C16 of squared red sandstone with Tudor details, unbuttressed. Two stages, the upper two-thirds and NE stair tower in smoother almost ashlar stone. Battered plinth with heavy top moulding, moulded course between stages and below embattled parapet. Segmental-pointed W door with double ovolo moulding, hoodmould abd voussoirs above. Flat-headed 2-light window above with segmental-pointed heads to lights, hoodmoulds and relieving arch. Similar bell-openings each side, louvred and without relieving arch. Tower S has similar single light breaking string course, with hoodmould. Nave has S 2-light flat-headed window to left of porch with curved heads to lights, C16 or C17, and C15 flat-headed 3-light window to right with renewed cusped ogee tracery and small rectangular light to right, lighting rood loft. Porch is C19 with coped gable, low angle buttresses, pointed entry. Medieval pointed chamfered S doorway within. Nave wall is of rough rubble with traces of limewash. Chancel roof is very slightly lower, with C19 coping to E gable. Chancel S has renewed Tudor-arched S door, chamfered with diagonal stop, and C15 3-light similar to that in nave, but with hoodmould. Large ashlar 3-light Perp style E window with cusped ogee heads to lights, of c.1869. NE chapel is added, see straight joint. Broad roof , coped gables, blocked broad E window with stone voussoirs (possibly C18), two moulded stringcourses the lower one ovolo-moulded, the upper one a cove, cut by the blocked window. On N side two C15 or C16 2-light windows with cusped heads and hoodmoulds also break upper string course and are returned around W end, obscured by C19 lean-to vestry with coped N gable, N end door and S single light and 2-light windows with chimney on roof slope between. Nave N has 2 2-light C19 windows with curved heads to lights and step in masonry to left, for rood stair. Blocked small early window, possibly C12-13.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

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

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Building Fabric and Features

Information about any important features and building fabric.

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Building Materials

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

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Interior Image

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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.

Rubble stone walls inside. W end painted grained panelled doors in panelled infill to C15-16 segmental-pointed tower arch with inner arch dying into piers, ovolo mouldings. Boarded ceiling to tower, W door and window above in deep reveals with stone voussoirs. Nave W C20 organ loft. Broad 7-bay arch-braced collar-truss roof with windbracing and 3 tie-beams, all of 1869. Segmental pointed arch to S door with stone voussoirs, restored moulded rood-stair door to N with depressed-arched head and mural stairs up to former rood-loft door in NE angle. Chancel arch is broad segmental-pointed with 2 chamfers dying into sides, possibly pre-C15. Chancel has 1869 roof of 3 bays with arch-braced collars and brattished wall plate. C19 E window has shafts. S side has C15 3-light and low S door with segmental pointed head of two stones. On N side, an exceptional 2-bay late C16 arcade to the N chapel with Tudor arches on octagonal centre pier. Arches are in 2 orders, with double recessed chamfers on chancel side, while N side to chapel has double wave moulding, on leading edges, and no hood mould. Pier has fluted neck with rope-mould above, below coved capital. Above arcade is a reset stiff-leaf corbel, possible C13. NE chapel has broad roof, probably of 1869, with tie-beams, arch-braced collars and windbracing. E wall has marks of blocked window. W wall has blocked long opening to right of centre (former window?) and straight joint to far left, at original nave NE corner. Segmental-pointed W door with stone voussoirs, opening into C19 vestry. Fittings: Remarkable ashlar font apparently made up of different medieval bits, the top is a shallow square bowl with ovolo top and angle mouldings, on a tapering lobed underside that does not appear to be of the same piece, the 8 lobes divided by raised fillets and the four cardinal lobes fluted, over a ring moulding. This stands on a panelled tapering octagonal shaft, on a moulded circular base. Rood beam Rev. J. Ward (d 1917). Mid to later C20 altar with painted carved panel of St Michael, panelled pulpit, pews and organ. Stained Glass. Nave S first after 1945, Christ and woman full of good works; S second fine quality window by C.E. Kempe, 1901, to Augusta Stear (d 1899), SS Mary, James and John; Nave N, SS Ambrose and Augustine to H. Cromwell, (d 1901), richly coloured, also by C.E. Kempe. Chancel E Christ, SS Michael and Peter, to Capt. G.P. Steer (d 1915), 1916 by Kempe & Co. South 3-light, 1905 by Heaton, Butler & Bayne, Good Shepherd with SS Stephen and Lawrence, lesser quality. Monuments: On NE chapel N wall remnant of elaborate C16 alabaster monument to one of the Morgan family, altar recess framed by side piers with fruit, shields and tablets, top piece with inscription (Philippians 1, 21), date 1590, and Morgan arms above. E wall has memorial to Lady Mary Blount (d 1657), ashlar with marble panels in pilasters and frieze, the Latin inscription repeated on a C17 brass plaque below; plaque to Maria Kemeys of Maendy (d 1798) circular on dark square panels, with draped urn above; large marble memorial to Martin Kuyck van Meirop (Dutch merchant d 1775 at Mynydd Mawr) sarcophagus plaque under black pyramid between urns, and with carving below plaque. Monument is set within a crude ashlar frame with side piers, arched head and keystone; marble plaque to R.B Bowling, barrister, died at Llantarnam Abbey 1859, by James of Newport; ashlar memorial to Amy George, 1728, with gadrooned shelf under plaque flanked by thin columns with crude leaf capitals, and ogee cornice. W wall has neo-Grec scroll to E.F. Blewitt of Llantarnam Abbey (d 1868) by A.H. James of Newport; neo-Grec plaque to Edmund Blewitt, barrister (d 1834) by Wood of Bristol and ashlar memorial to Mary McNamara (d 1791) with pilasters and broken pediment. Chancel S wall memorial with urn and branches to Ann Williams, Mary Williams and Edward Walters (d 1829-34) by Davies of Usk; oval plaque in painted moulded frame with carved spandrels, to Henery (sic) Lawrence (d 1802); small urn memorial to Ann Jones (d c1760) over plaque to Blanch Jones (d 1804) by Drewett & Co, Bristol. Nave N has memorial with flaming urn to M and H Phillips (d 1804 and 1808) by Jones, Dunn & Tyley of Bristol; painted plaque with rustic winged circular face, to Martha Absalom (d 1770); eroded plaque with hourglass in broken curved pediment and skull below, to Ann Dentt (d 1676); memorial to W. Williams (d 1836) with urn above and reversed torches, by T. Davies of Usk. Nave S has plaque with shell motif at head of carved border, to Henry James (d 1764); scroll plaque to Jane Johnson (d 1841), by Watkins of Newport; plaque to William Harris (d 1815) with pilasters.
 

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

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

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Portable Furnishings and Artworks

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

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Ecology

A description of the ecology of the churchyard.

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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 Daughter Church.

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

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

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

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

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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 Daughter Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Daughter 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 Daughter Church

Churchyard Structures

Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.

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Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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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.

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Fabric Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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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.

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Interior Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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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.

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Community Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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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. 

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Church Renewables

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

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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 Daughter 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 Daughter 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 Daughter 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 Daughter 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 Daughter 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 Daughter Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Administrator Monmouth Added QI inspectionWed 26 Jun 2024 13:41:39
Administrator Monmouth Created asset source linkWed 26 Jun 2024 13:41:38
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionWed 27 Mar 2024 11:41:09
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionWed 27 Mar 2024 11:40:43
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the National Park informationWed 27 Mar 2024 11:31:22
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Burial and War Grave informationWed 27 Mar 2024 11:31:13
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Asset AddressWed 27 Mar 2024 11:30:33
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Conservation Area informationFri 20 Apr 2018 12:28:48
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Conservation Area informationFri 20 Apr 2018 12:28:30
Tina AndrewModified asset source linkTue 21 Mar 2017 14:55:34
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