St Illtyds
On passing through one of the finest of
lych-gates that I have seen, that was donated in 1910 by Samuel
Llewellyn, and into the well kept graveyard of this fine 11th centaury
building that is St Illtyd's
Anglican Church, you are taken
aback by the grandeur of this Grade II* listed Monument, it sits on top
of a very steep hill called Newcastle Hill, next to the ruins of
Newcastle castle and serves the Parish of Newcastle Bridgend, Wales. The
church overlooks the town of Bridgend below, and is visible for miles
especially in the evenings when it is lit up to dramatic effect.
St Illtyd's Church is a Victorian decorated, Gothic rebuilding of an
earlier 14th Century church which is steeped in local history, as there
has been worship on this site for almost 900 years when the first
recorded priest was Fr Gilbert in 1153.
The nave and chancel were rebuilt in the 19th century when
the aisle and vestry were added on the north side of the building.
However, there is a fine early 14th century west tower with
gargoyles and low pinnacles still in good order,
only the west tower remains of the medieval church. The rest was rebuilt
and enlarged in the years of 1849-50 by John Prichard of Llandaff and a
north chancel chapel was added in the year of 1893-4.
Through the years there has been many a story of battles that took place
here, in 1226 both Newcastle Church and the Castle was attacked, and
nearly destroyed by the Welsh from Afan. This was one of many of such
attacks on Newcastle by the welsh who’s land had been stolen from them
by the Normans.
The Castle and the Church were
severely damaged again in 1404-05 by the attacks of Owain Glyndwr and
his army in an attempt to claim back their land.
1914-1918
This memorial stands in the churchyard of St
Illtyds Church
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