St Govan's Church, Llangovan
The Church of St Govan in Llangovan, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a church with late-medieval origins. Renovations took place in the late 19th century. It is a Grade II* listed building and, since being declared redundant in the late 20th century, has been managed by the Vincent Wildlife Trust as a bat colony.
| Church of St Govan, Llangovan | |
|---|---|
| Church of St Govan | |
 "home to a colony of bats" | |
  Church of St Govan, Llangovan Location in Monmouthshire | |
| Location | Llangovan, Monmouthshire |
| Country | Wales |
| History | |
| Status | parish church |
| Founded | 14th – 15th century |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 27 November 1953 |
| Architectural type | Church |
History
The church is of Norman origin but the existing structure dates from the 14th/15th centuries.[1] Further building works took place in the 17th century.[1] A Victorian restoration was undertaken in 1888–1890 by A. W. Probyn and J. P. Moore of Gloucester.[2] The church was declared redundant in the late 20th century and, since 1999, has been leased to the Vincent Wildlife Trust which manages the church as a bat roosting site.[1] Occasional public access is permitted when this would not disturb the bat colony.[1][3]
Architecture and description
The architectural historian John Newman describes the building as "late medieval" but with evidence of its earlier origins.[2] The church is small, comprising a nave, a chancel and a porch[1] together with a "gabled double bellcote".[2]
Notes
- Cadw. "St Govan's Church, Llangovan (Grade II*) (17426)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- Newman 2000, p. 314.
- "Bat Reserves-Llangovan Church". The Vincent Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
References
- Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.
External links
Media related to St Govan's Church, Llangovan at Wikimedia Commons