St Cybi's Church, Holyhead
| St Cybi's Church | |
|
Holyhead, Anglesey | |
|---|---|
| Status: | Parish church |
 The south face view of the church | |
| Church in Wales | |
| Diocese of Bangor | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SH366728 |
| Location: | 53°18’42"N, 4°37’58"W |
| History | |
| Built 13th century | |
| Mediæval Gothic | |
| Information | |
St Cybi's Church is a mediæval church near the Roman fort known as Caer Gybi in Holyhead, on Anglesey's Holy Island. The church is a Grade I listed building.
The original church was constructed at Holyhead around 540 AD by St Cybi. The church was sacked by Viking invaders in the 10th century and damaged again in 1405 during the campaign by King Henry IV. The present church was built in the 13th century and stands near the Roman fort in Holyhead.
History
The original church on an early Christian monastic settlement was established at Holyhead around 540 by St Cybi, a cousin of St David. Cybi chose to build his monastery within the walls of a ruined Roman fort. In the 10th century the original church was sacked by Viking raiders. In 1405, it was damaged by King Henry IV's troops, who landed on Anglesey from Ireland as part of Henry's efforts to put down Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion.[1]
The present church of St Cybi's was built in between the 13th to 16th centuries and stands near the walls of the Roman Caer Gybi. The chancel is one of the oldest parts of the church, dating to the 13th century.
In 1897 a chapel designed by the architect Hamo Thornycroft was added to the south. Further renovations were undertaken in the 20th century. A sun dial with the inscription "Yr hoedl ar hyd ei haros a dderfydd yn nydd ac yn nos", which translates to "Life though long it stay will end in night and day", is located on the south transept. Ornamental figures are located throughout the church, both inside and out.[1][2]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about St Cybi's Church, Holyhead) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Holyhead, St Cybi church". Britain Express. http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=575. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ↑ "St Cybi's Church in Holyhead history". Holyhead Online. http://www.holyhead.com/stcybi/index.html. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
