Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Church of Saint Thomas
St. Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Religious, Ritual and Funerary
- Date of designation
- 16 January 1952
- Date of amendment
- 2 June 2021
- Welsh name
- Eglwys Sant Thomas
- Community
- St. Dogmaels
- Unitary authority
- Pembrokeshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.08102, -4.68074
- Cadw reference
- 13086
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1608 "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Situated in large churchyard N of the abbey ruins.
History
The original plans were made 1847 for a church to cost £600, but the final cost was £1,500. A tower was proposed but funds were insufficient. Daniel Evans of Cardigan superintended the building, John Davies and John Thomas of Llechryd were the contractors.
Exterior
1848-52 Anglican parish church designed by A Ashpitel, architect of London. Rock-faced sandstone with steep slate roofs, coped gables, cross finials and W bellcote. Nave and chancel with S porch added 1925. Lancet style with 5-bay nave, two-step buttresses between each single lancet with hoodmould and carved headstop. Two lancets at W end with linked hoodmoulds, headstops and blank quatrefoil in roundel above. Single bellcote with similar hoodmould, side buttresses and Celtic cross finial. Chancel has 3 similar lancets to E with linked hoodmoulds and trefoil panel in gable apex. Clasping buttresses to E and W end angles. N side vestry with parapet, 2-light N window and E door. Two lancets to chancel S. S porch, added 1925, has pointed door, similar hoodmould with carved head stops, and plain door within.
Interior
Simple treatment with thin arch-braced collar trusses, ceiled above collars. Moulded stone chancel arch. E window moulded and shafted. Stained glass east window with 6 medallion scenes, 1852 by Bell of Bristol and in chancel S window of 1889 by Clayton and Bell in C16 style. At the W end, Sagranus stone, C5 or C6 inscribed in Latin "SAIRANI FILI CUNOTAMI" and in Ogham "SAGRAGNI MAQI CUNATAMI". By the S door a broken slab with wheel cross in relief. By pulpit, broken stone with incised sword hilt device. Font 1850, scalloped square bowl. Carved stone pulpit, octagonal with pointed arched traceried panels. Chancel stalls with poppyhead finials. In the chancel marble plaques of 1851, 1850 and 1825 on N wall and of 1865, 1868 and 1833 on S wall. Post-war brass lectern with Art Nouveau figure, said to represent the Angel in Revelations 10:2, “who set his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the land,” in allusion to the marine and estuarine traditions of the people of St Dogmaels.
Reason for designation
Listed for special historic and architectural interest as an early example in W Wales of the gothic revival, employing historically correct detail.
Nearby in the register
- Wall along S side of ChurchyardReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Ruins of Abbey of St MaryReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- St Dogmaels AbbeyAbbeyunder 1 mi
- Lychgate and Steps to Churchyard at St Thomas ChurchReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.