Browse this gazetteer of historic churches and other religious sites
in Wales by region or alphabetically
(this section). Or find information on medieval Cathedrals
in Wales.
13th century church with squat tower and huge buttress. The interior has a Jacobean pew, 15th century embroidery, and the tomb of the last governor of the Three Castles (Grosmont, Skenfrith, and White).
Skenfrith,
Gwent,
Wales
A rectangular building, the traditional birthplace of St David, located in a beautiful clifftop position. The chapel is dedicated to Non, David's mother, and it was a destination for pilgrims for centuries. A few steps from the roofless chapel site is a holy well, still used by pilgrims.
St David's,
Dyfed,
Wales
St. Govan's Chapel is a small medieval church clinging to the ragged rock halfway down the cliffs of a secluded headland. It is difficult to imagine a more strikingly situated church in all of Britain. St. Govan was a sixth century hermit who established a cell for himself on this lonely spot, in the fashion of early Celtic Christian monks, who tended to live in isolated places. Legends sprang up about the saint, and about the curative properties of the natural spring which used to rise just inside the door of the chapel. During the medieval period the holy well and cell became a place of pilgrimage for cripples seeking a cure, and the original cell was rebuilt as a small chapel in the 13th century. The chapel is a very simple rectangular building with a steeply pitched roof and bellcote. Access is by way of 52 stone steps from the top of the cliffs. Legend has it that the chapel was founded when St. Govan hid in a rocky fissure of the cliff to escape from pirates. A further legend states that King Arthur's knight Sir Gawain lies buried beneath the stone altar of the chapel. St. Govan's Chapel is contained within the Pembrokeshire National Park, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail runs along the nearby cliffs. The area is far enough off the beaten track that even today it retains an air of secluded beauty.
St Govan's Head,
Dyfed,
Wales
13th century church, dedicated to the 6th century saint, who visited Wales, Ireland and Cornwall. The church has a tall, narrow tower and was mostly restored in the mid 1800's. There are several monuments in the church.
St Petrox,
Pembroke,
Dyfed,
Wales
St Twynnell is also named Gwynnoc or Gwynnog, among many other variations. The church was established in 1259 and once belonged to St Nicholas Abbey, Pembroke. It is mostly 13th century and consists of a nave, chancel and sanctuary. There is a square tower at the west end containing 3 bells. The church owns a 1662 solid silver Communion Chalice and a rare, pre-Reformation pewter paten and bread plate. Near the west porch is a stone preaching cross.
St Twynnells,
Dyfed,
Wales
Traditional cruciform church with tall, slender tower containing three bells. Dates back to 12th century, restored in mid 1800's. The church has Minton tiles on the chancel floor, 14th century vaulting in the transepts, and rib vaulting in the Lort chapel. The church contains a number of monuments. The lychgate is in the art nouveau style.
Stackpole,
Dyfed,
Wales