St Mary's Church, Ruabon

St Mary's Church
Church of St Mary, Ruabon
St Mary's Church Location in Wrexham
52°59′13″N 3°2′24″W
Country	Wales
Denomination	Church in Wales
History
Dedication	St Mary
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade I
Architectural type	Church

St Mary's is a Grade I listed church in Ruabon, Wrexham County Borough, Wales. It is situated in the church yard between Bridge Street and Church Street. Included in the listing is the lych gate and churchyard walls. The church is listed on the National Monuments Record of Wales. The parish is in the Mission Area of Offa in the Church in Wales Diocese of St Asaph.

History

The ancient parish of Ruabon was changed numerous times over the centuries and most recently became the new parish of Penycae. The church was recorded in 1253, dedicated to St Collen. The tower and some other parts are 14th century, and a chapel was added in 1769 when the church was remodelled. The church was substantially rebuilt in the 19th century.

Exterior

The church, at least as early as the 13th century, is constructed of sandstone rubble and ashlar under a slate roof. The tower is 14th century, and has windows, buttresses and bell openings, and an internal stair tower. There is some evidence remaining of the 13th century building, but most windows are 19th century.

Interior

The nave and its timber roof are largely 19th century, but there are remnants of the 16th century construction, and some 15th century wall paintings were recovered in 1870. The pulpit and walls are 19th century. There are tombs dating from the 15th century, and a number of efigies and sarcophogi. The windows have stained glass of unknown date.

See also

• Grade I listed buildings in Wrexham County Borough

External links

• Church website
• Further historical information and links on GENUKI