“For the next 800 years of Conwy history”
St. Mary’s Church has stood quietly in the heart of Conwy for over 800 years. The historic tower which contains the oldest part of the building, is in urgent need of repair. Can you join our new Friends initiative and support this important project?
Origins and History
St. Mary’s originated as the church of the Cistercian Abbey of St. Mary and All Saints in Aberconwy, founded by Llywelyn c. 1190. It was the principal religious centre of the Princes of Gwynedd during the last century of Welsh Independence. Llywelyn died at Aberconwy Abbey and was buried there. Read more about St. Mary’s fascinating history at the link
The Tower Project
The St. Mary’s Church Tower contains the oldest part of the building, including the original gothic archway used as the main entrance to the building. As with all old buildings, repairs are ongoing and costly – and in the case of the St. Mary’s Tower, the need for repairs is now urgent. Becoming a Friend will support these urgent repairs, and will ensure the continuation of life in St. Mary’s for many years to come.
The Clocks
The St. Mary’s Tower clock plays an important part in town life. Installed in 1857, the faces originally gave seafarers and fishermen an accurate way to keep time, and it’s been chiming on the hour and every quarter for almost 170 years, providing a steady soundtrack to every day life here in Conwy.
Originally donated by Lord Penrhyn, the clocks are now under the care of the Town Council. Unfortunately, one of the clock faces is in need of repair, however the state of disrepair inside the tower has made repairing the clock impossible – until now.
800 Years
For over 100 years, the Abbey remained an important site in the political landscape of the country. Since 1284, St. Mary’s Church has been the parish church of Conwy, and the building has been adapted over the years to meet the needs of different generations.
Traces of the original Abbey remain today, and it’s most evident when you approach the main entrance of St. Mary’s Church, in the thick tower wall, its three lancet windows and the gothic arch.
Heritage
We now know and love it as St. Mary’s Church, a beautiful building in the heart of Conwy, a town that’s steeped in history, and a place where we are the custodians now.
With the right care and attention now, the tower, with its prominent position on the Conwy skyline, will remain at the heart of the town for another 800 years, as a place of friendship, faith, and community for everyone who lives in and visits our beautiful town.
The Project
Specialist architects Insall Architects have worked on a renovation scheme that will provide a safe access to the clocks, make the tower watertight, and preserve the stability and safety overall, all with proper concern and consideration for the historical conservation of this important historic building.
Fundraising
We are so grateful to have received a grant of £50,000 from the National Churches Trust for this project, which is a fantastic start- however, we still have a long way to go. The Friends will give an opportunity for supporters to give regularly, and become part of the history of this special place. Please download, fill and return the form below and become a Friend now. Benefits include a welcome gift, quarterly newsletter, and priority seating at events such as concerts and talks.
If you would like to support but not join the Friends, a one off donation can be made at the below link via GoFundMe. St. Mary’s belongs to us all – and it’s our job to take care of it so future generations can enjoy the peace, tranquillity, and sense of history and belonging associated with this beautiful place in the heart of the community.
More details coming soon… in the meantime, email 5churchinfo@gmail.com for more info
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