The Priory Church of St Mary, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire

Description

Denomination: Anglican

Dedication: St Mary

Built: circa 1320
Rebuilt: 1767
Restored: 1854

Photography: John Ball
Date: 9 January 1998
Camera: Agfa ePhoto 307 digital

Notes: The church served a Benedictine Priory founded circa 1130 although its layout is more that of a large parish church. As rebuilt in the 14th century it comprised a long and wide nave with transepts, a south porch, and a chancel. A porch-tower with a broach spire was added on the north side of the nave c1400. The siting of a staircase to the rood loft west of the south transept suggests that the eastern part of the nave was divided off by a screen separating the monastic eastern parts from the parochial western two thirds of the nave. After the priory was dissolved the western end nave was shortened, a new west wall being built between the two porches. The south transept has a tablet recording that it was rebuilt in 1767. The rest of the church was restored in 1854. Over the high altar is a 14th century figure of the Virgin. [Extracted from The Old Parish Churches of South-West Wales by Mike Salter, published 1994, Folly Publications, Malvern; ISBN1-871731-19-4]

The church of St, Mary is a very ancient Gothic stone building, consisting of chancel, nave, one aisle, two transepts, porch, and tower and spire containing 4 bells: there is a monument to Prior Gilfrida Coker, obit. 1301 and one to Hugh Fisher, esq. The register dates from the year 1586. [Extracted from Post Office Directory, 1871 see http://kidwellyhistory.co.uk/Directories/1871.htm]

• http://www.jlb2011.co.uk/walespic/churches/kidwelly1.htm (link opens in new window)