Ewenny Priory - Church in Wales, Ewenny, Wales, Great Britain. - Anglican and Episcopal Churches on Waymarking.com

Ewenny Priory Church, St Michael and All Angels
A monastery of the Benedictine order, founded in the 12th century.
Now a 'Church in Wales' denomination.

"The monastery was fortified and the medieval church and claustral buildings lay within a walled enclosure with towers and gatehouses in the north and south. Five towers survive.
The priory was entered through the North Gate. Two square openings in the gateway roof were for pouring molten lead or pitch on top of any invaders.

The cloister seemingly stood to the south of the church, as was common. Little now remains of the claustral buildings and the site is largely occupied by a private dwelling. But two fine fourteenth-century gateways survive as well as remnants of the medieval perimeter wall. Although nothing remains of the west and south ranges eighteenth-century, drawings offer some indication of their layout for it was only at the turn of the nineteenth century that they were fully dismantled." Text Source: (visit link)

"The most atmospheric Romanesque space in Wales - Ewenny Priory is the most complete and impressive Norman church in South Wales and one of the finest examples of a fortified church building in Europe. It was completed by 1126; in 1141 it became a Priory of the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter, Gloucester. The nave of the Priory, with its rounded arches and thick pillars, is in use as the parish church. The Pulpitum Screen, dividing the two parts of the church, is the work of Alexander Beleschenko, and was installed in July 2006. The eastern or monastic end contains the tombs of the de Londres family, a medieval altar and a reproduction of the watercolour of the Priory painted by J.P.W. Turner in 1795. Much of the Priory's outer defensive walls and towers remain. Not only did they protect the Priory, but played a part in the Norman subjection of South Wales." Text source, The Church in Wales Web Site: (visit link)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"The priory was unusual in having military-style defences and is widely regarded as one of the finest fortified religious buildings in Britain. Over the centuries the priory has sustained some damage, and following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, was, like many of its kind, converted into a private house, which is still inhabited by its current owners, the Turbervill family. The priory is not open to the public but the attached Church is still in use and restoration work has recently been carried out by Cadw." Text Source: (visit link)

Welsh Government - CADW Web Site: (visit link)

Active Church: Yes School on property: No Date Built: 01/01/1141 Service Times: 9.30 am. Website: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the Church. Please try to keep your GPSr out of the photo.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   09/27/2013 veritas vita visited it