St Mary's Church, Bodewryd
Encyclopedia
St Mary's Church, Bodewryd is a small medieval church in the hamlet of Bodewryd
, in Anglesey
, north Wales. The date of construction is unknown, but there was a church on this site in 1254 and the earliest feature to which a date can be given is a doorway in a 15th-century style dating to around 1500. When the church was restored in 1867 after being struck by lightning, stained glass with Islamic-influenced patterns was included in the windows, a requirement of Lord Stanley of Alderley
, the church's benefactor, who was a convert to Islam.
The church is still used for worship by the Church in Wales
, and is one of five churches in a combined parish. It is a Grade II listed building, a national designation given to "buildings of special interest, which warrant every effort being made to preserve them", in particular because it is a "simple, rural church of Medieval origins."
s from) the Anglesey churches of Llanddona
and St Cwyllog, Llangwyllog
at this time. The current building has medieval walls, and the doorway of the porch on the north side of the church, which is of 15th-century style, is the oldest dateable part of the building. A 2009 guide to the buildings of north-west Wales put the date for the doorway at c.1500. St Mary's was restored in 1867 by Henry Kennedy, the architect of the Diocese of Bangor, after the previous church was struck by lightning. It was funded by Lord Stanley of Alderley
, a convert to Islam, whose donations to rural churches carried the requirement that Islamic detail should be included in any restoration
work. At St Mary's, the windows have geometric patterns of small panes of coloured glass as a result. This condition was also imposed by him for the restoration work at the nearby church of St Peirio, Rhosbeirio
(now closed), where the new windows were also decorated with geometric patterns in glass.
For many years, the church was associated with the Wynn (or Wynne) family of Bodewryd. They had an estate at Bodewryd from 1521 until 1755, when Edward Wynne
(Chancellor of the Diocese of Hereford
from 1707 to 1754) died without male heirs. His uncle, Humphrey Humphreys
(who was Bishop of Bangor
and then Bishop of Hereford
), was married in St Mary's in 1690; the bishop's sister had married into the Wynne family in 1672.
The church is by the side of the road in Bodewryd, in the north of Anglesey, about 3 miles (4.8 km) from the town of Amlwch
. It is surrounded by a rectangular churchyard, entered through a wooden gate. It is still in use for worship, belonging to the Church in Wales
, and is part of the combined parish of Llanfechell
with Bodewryd with Rhosbeirio with Llanfflewin
and Llanbadrig
. It is within the deanery
of Twrcelyn, the archdeaconry of Bangor
and the Diocese of Bangor. As of October 2011, the rector
is the Reverend Canon G W Edwards. The church was used at one time as a chapel of ease
for St Eilian's Church, Llaneilian.
and chancel
(which are not divided) measure together 34 feet 9 inches by 14 feet (about 10.6 m by 4.3 m). The church is constructed of rubble masonry
, dressed with freestone and with a foundation of boulders. The roof, which has a bellcote at the west end, is made of slate; the roof timbers can be seen from inside. The only bell, which is dated 1747, is decorated with a vine scroll. The door to the church is on the north side through a porch; the doorway to the porch has a rounded head and a 15th-century style door jamb
, but the porch itself is more modern. The windows in the nave (one in the north wall, one in the west wall and two in the south wall) have rounded tops. The window at the east end of the church, which dates from the late 16th century, is rectangular with three arched lights (vertical sections) set in a square frame. The lights are separated by mullion
s and there is an external hoodmould above the window.
There are two fonts: one, which may be medieval in origin, is a gritstone
bowl of rectangular shape; the other, which may have been added during the 19th-century restoration
, is an oval alabaster
bowl, with rich decoration. The south wall of the chancel has a brass tablet to mark money received from Queen Anne's Bounty
in 1720 and Robert Wynn, rector of Llantrisant, Anglesey
, in 1727. There are various memorials on the interior walls. Edward Wynne (who is buried in the churchyard), his siblings and parents are commemorated by various brass tablets. The 1937 survey of the church by the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales and Monmouthshire claims that seven generations of Wynne's male ancestors were buried in the church, beginning with Rees ap Llewelyn in 1500. The survey also recorded that the church possessed a silver cup from about 1641 donated by Wynne, a silver cup and paten
donated by his sister Ellin in 1703, and part of an oak table top with a Latin inscription and the date 1611.
(the Welsh Assembly Government
body responsible for the built heritage of Wales and for the inclusion of Welsh buildings on the statutory lists) notes that it "retains Medieval fabric but is largely of 19th-century character", describing it as a "simple vernacular building."
The 19th-century antiquarian Angharad Llwyd
described the church as a "small ancient edifice". She noted the memorials to the Wynnes as well as a tablet marking Edward Wynne's "munificence": she recorded that he had donated 121 acres (49 ha) in 1722 and a rent charge
of £2 to endow the living
, and that £800 was also received from Queen Anne's Bounty. A 2006 guide to the churches of the county describes it as "one of the smallest churches in Anglesey", and says that it stood "in a pleasant location."
Bodewryd
Bodewryd is a village in Anglesey, Wales.-St Mary's Church:The village church is St Mary's, Bodewryd, a small medieval church. It is said by the Diocese of Bangor to be the second-smallest church in Anglesey...
, in Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
, north Wales. The date of construction is unknown, but there was a church on this site in 1254 and the earliest feature to which a date can be given is a doorway in a 15th-century style dating to around 1500. When the church was restored in 1867 after being struck by lightning, stained glass with Islamic-influenced patterns was included in the windows, a requirement of Lord Stanley of Alderley
Henry Stanley, 3rd Baron Stanley of Alderley
Henry Edward John Stanley, 3rd Baron Stanley of Alderley and 2nd Baron Eddisbury was a historian who translated The first voyage round the world by Magellan and other works from the Age of Discovery...
, the church's benefactor, who was a convert to Islam.
The church is still used for worship by the Church in Wales
Church in Wales
The Church in Wales is the Anglican church in Wales, composed of six dioceses.As with the primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Archbishop of Wales serves concurrently as one of the six diocesan bishops. The current archbishop is Barry Morgan, the Bishop of Llandaff.In contrast to the...
, and is one of five churches in a combined parish. It is a Grade II listed building, a national designation given to "buildings of special interest, which warrant every effort being made to preserve them", in particular because it is a "simple, rural church of Medieval origins."
History and location
The date of foundation of the first religious building on this site is unknown. A church was recorded here in the Norwich Taxation of 1254, and the church was owned by the Augustinian priory at Penmon, at the south-eastern corner of Anglesey, during the 13th century; the priory also owned (and therefore received the titheTithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
s from) the Anglesey churches of Llanddona
Llanddona
Llanddona is a village famous for its beach in Ynys Môn , North Wales.Located between Benllech and Beaumaris, it is popular as a holiday destination on Anglesey, particularly for families...
and St Cwyllog, Llangwyllog
St Cwyllog's Church, Llangwyllog
St Cwyllog's Church, Llangwyllog is a medieval church near Llangwyllog, in Anglesey, north Wales. St Cwyllog founded a church here in the 6th century, although the exact date is unknown. The existence of a church here was recorded in 1254 and parts of the present building may date from around 1200...
at this time. The current building has medieval walls, and the doorway of the porch on the north side of the church, which is of 15th-century style, is the oldest dateable part of the building. A 2009 guide to the buildings of north-west Wales put the date for the doorway at c.1500. St Mary's was restored in 1867 by Henry Kennedy, the architect of the Diocese of Bangor, after the previous church was struck by lightning. It was funded by Lord Stanley of Alderley
Henry Stanley, 3rd Baron Stanley of Alderley
Henry Edward John Stanley, 3rd Baron Stanley of Alderley and 2nd Baron Eddisbury was a historian who translated The first voyage round the world by Magellan and other works from the Age of Discovery...
, a convert to Islam, whose donations to rural churches carried the requirement that Islamic detail should be included in any restoration
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
work. At St Mary's, the windows have geometric patterns of small panes of coloured glass as a result. This condition was also imposed by him for the restoration work at the nearby church of St Peirio, Rhosbeirio
St Peirio's Church, Rhosbeirio
St Peirio's Church, Rhosbeirio is a small disused medieval church, in Anglesey, north Wales. It is unclear when a church was first established on this site, although it has been said that this happened in about 605. The current structure, which may date from the 15th century, has been restored in...
(now closed), where the new windows were also decorated with geometric patterns in glass.
For many years, the church was associated with the Wynn (or Wynne) family of Bodewryd. They had an estate at Bodewryd from 1521 until 1755, when Edward Wynne
Edward Wynne (chancellor)
Edward Wynne was a Welsh lawyer and landowner. He was a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, an advocate at Doctors' Commons and Chancellor of the diocese of Hereford.- Life :Wynne was part of the Wynn family from Bodewryd, Anglesey...
(Chancellor of the Diocese of Hereford
Diocese of Hereford
The Diocese of Hereford is a Church of England diocese based in Hereford, covering Herefordshire, southern Shropshire and a few parishes within Worcestershire in England; and a few parishes within Powys and Monmouthshire in Wales....
from 1707 to 1754) died without male heirs. His uncle, Humphrey Humphreys
Humphrey Humphreys
Humphrey Humphreys was successively bishop of Bangor and of Hereford .-Life:He was educated at Jesus College, Oxford and was later a Fellow of the college. A patron of Welsh literature, genealogical research and of the then newly-formed Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge...
(who was Bishop of Bangor
Bishop of Bangor
The Bishop of Bangor is the Ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of Bangor.The diocese covers the counties of Anglesey, most of Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire and a small part of Montgomeryshire...
and then Bishop of Hereford
Bishop of Hereford
The Bishop of Hereford is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Hereford in the Province of Canterbury.The see is in the City of Hereford where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Ethelbert which was founded as a cathedral in 676.The Bishop's residence is...
), was married in St Mary's in 1690; the bishop's sister had married into the Wynne family in 1672.
The church is by the side of the road in Bodewryd, in the north of Anglesey, about 3 miles (4.8 km) from the town of Amlwch
Amlwch
Amlwch is the most northerly town in Wales. It is situated on the north coast of the Isle of Anglesey, on the A5025 which connects it to Holyhead and to Menai Bridge. The town has no beach, but it has impressive coastal cliffs. Tourism is an important element of the local economy. At one time it...
. It is surrounded by a rectangular churchyard, entered through a wooden gate. It is still in use for worship, belonging to the Church in Wales
Church in Wales
The Church in Wales is the Anglican church in Wales, composed of six dioceses.As with the primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Archbishop of Wales serves concurrently as one of the six diocesan bishops. The current archbishop is Barry Morgan, the Bishop of Llandaff.In contrast to the...
, and is part of the combined parish of Llanfechell
Llanfechell
Llanfechell is a village in Anglesey, in north-west Wales....
with Bodewryd with Rhosbeirio with Llanfflewin
St Fflewin's Church, Llanfflewin
St Fflewin's Church, Llanfflewin is a small rural church, situated by a farm in Anglesey, north Wales...
and Llanbadrig
Llanbadrig
Llanbadrig is a parish in the cwmwd of Talybolion, on the island of Anglesey, north Wales. The parish includes the township of Clygyrog and the little port of Cemaes . The region has extensive quarries of limestone and marble....
. It is within the deanery
Deanery
A Deanery is an ecclesiastical entity in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. A deanery is either the jurisdiction or residence of a Dean.- Catholic usage :...
of Twrcelyn, the archdeaconry of Bangor
Bangor, Gwynedd
Bangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
and the Diocese of Bangor. As of October 2011, the rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
is the Reverend Canon G W Edwards. The church was used at one time as a chapel of ease
Chapel of ease
A chapel of ease is a church building other than the parish church, built within the bounds of a parish for the attendance of those who cannot reach the parish church conveniently....
for St Eilian's Church, Llaneilian.
Architecture and fittings
The rectangular church, which has been described as "tiny", is said by the Diocese of Bangor to be the second-smallest church in Anglesey. The naveNave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
and chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
(which are not divided) measure together 34 feet 9 inches by 14 feet (about 10.6 m by 4.3 m). The church is constructed of rubble masonry
Rubble masonry
Rubble masonry is rough, unhewn building stone set in mortar, but not laid in regular courses. It may appear as the outer surface of a wall or may fill the core of a wall which is faced with unit masonry such as brick or cut stone....
, dressed with freestone and with a foundation of boulders. The roof, which has a bellcote at the west end, is made of slate; the roof timbers can be seen from inside. The only bell, which is dated 1747, is decorated with a vine scroll. The door to the church is on the north side through a porch; the doorway to the porch has a rounded head and a 15th-century style door jamb
Door jamb
A doorjamb is the vertical portion of the frame onto which a door is secured. The jamb bears the weight of the door through its hinges, and most types of door latches and deadbolts extend into a recess in the doorjamb when engaged, making the "true" and strength of the doorjambs vitally important...
, but the porch itself is more modern. The windows in the nave (one in the north wall, one in the west wall and two in the south wall) have rounded tops. The window at the east end of the church, which dates from the late 16th century, is rectangular with three arched lights (vertical sections) set in a square frame. The lights are separated by mullion
Mullion
A mullion is a vertical structural element which divides adjacent window units. The primary purpose of the mullion is as a structural support to an arch or lintel above the window opening. Its secondary purpose may be as a rigid support to the glazing of the window...
s and there is an external hoodmould above the window.
There are two fonts: one, which may be medieval in origin, is a gritstone
Gritstone
Gritstone or Grit is a hard, coarse-grained, siliceous sandstone. This term is especially applied to such sandstones that are quarried for building material. British gritstone was used for millstones to mill flour, to grind wood into pulp for paper and for grindstones to sharpen blades. "Grit" is...
bowl of rectangular shape; the other, which may have been added during the 19th-century restoration
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
, is an oval alabaster
Alabaster
Alabaster is a name applied to varieties of two distinct minerals, when used as a material: gypsum and calcite . The former is the alabaster of the present day; generally, the latter is the alabaster of the ancients...
bowl, with rich decoration. The south wall of the chancel has a brass tablet to mark money received from Queen Anne's Bounty
Queen Anne's Bounty
Queen Anne's Bounty was a fund established in 1704 to augment the incomes of the poorer clergy of the Church of England. The bounty was funded by the tax on the incomes of all Church of England clergy, which was paid to the Pope until the Reformation, and thereafter to the Crown.In 1890, the total...
in 1720 and Robert Wynn, rector of Llantrisant, Anglesey
Llantrisant, Anglesey
Llantrisant is a settlement in Anglesey, Wales.- External links :*...
, in 1727. There are various memorials on the interior walls. Edward Wynne (who is buried in the churchyard), his siblings and parents are commemorated by various brass tablets. The 1937 survey of the church by the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales and Monmouthshire claims that seven generations of Wynne's male ancestors were buried in the church, beginning with Rees ap Llewelyn in 1500. The survey also recorded that the church possessed a silver cup from about 1641 donated by Wynne, a silver cup and paten
Paten
A paten, or diskos, is a small plate, usually made of silver or gold, used to hold Eucharistic bread which is to be consecrated. It is generally used during the service itself, while the reserved hosts are stored in the Tabernacle in a ciborium....
donated by his sister Ellin in 1703, and part of an oak table top with a Latin inscription and the date 1611.
Assessment
The church has national recognition and statutory protection from alteration as it has been designated as a Grade II listed building – the lowest of the three grades of listing, designating "buildings of special interest, which warrant every effort being made to preserve them". It was given this status on 12 May 1970 and has been listed as "a simple, rural church of Medieval origins". CadwCadw
-Conservation and Protection:Many of Wales's great castles and other monuments, such as bishop's palaces, historic houses, and ruined abbeys, are now in Cadw's care. Cadw does not own them but is responsible for their upkeep and for making them accessible to the public...
(the Welsh Assembly Government
Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
body responsible for the built heritage of Wales and for the inclusion of Welsh buildings on the statutory lists) notes that it "retains Medieval fabric but is largely of 19th-century character", describing it as a "simple vernacular building."
The 19th-century antiquarian Angharad Llwyd
Angharad Llwyd
Angharad Llwyd was a Welsh antiquary and a prizewinner at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.She was born at Caerwys in Flintshire, the daughter of Rev. John Lloyd, himself a noted antiquary. Her essay entitled Catalogue of Welsh Manuscripts, etc. in North Wales won a prize at the Welshpool...
described the church as a "small ancient edifice". She noted the memorials to the Wynnes as well as a tablet marking Edward Wynne's "munificence": she recorded that he had donated 121 acres (49 ha) in 1722 and a rent charge
Rent charge
A rentcharge is an annual sum paid by the owner of freehold land to a person who has no other legal interest in the land. Rentcharges have been in existence since the Statute of Quia Emptores in 1290...
of £2 to endow the living
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
, and that £800 was also received from Queen Anne's Bounty. A 2006 guide to the churches of the county describes it as "one of the smallest churches in Anglesey", and says that it stood "in a pleasant location."