DenbighshireBODELWYDDANStMargaretAntioch(explorechurches.org)18

St Margaret of Antioch

Known as the Marble Church, the church tower at 62 metres high, is a landmark visible from miles around.

Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire

Oriau agor

Open by arrangement.

Cyfeiriad

Bodelwyddan
Denbighshire
LL18 5UR

The church was commissioned by Margaret, daughter of Sir John Williams of Bodelwyddan Castle. She had married a Warwickshire baron but returned to her home area after his death in 1852. The Bishop of St Asaph, Dr Vowler Short, agreed to her request that Bodelwyddan be made a separate parish and given its own parish church. The church is dedicated to two saints: St Margaret of Antioch and St Kentigern.

The church was designed by John Gibson. He had studied with Sir Charles Barry, who rebuilt the Houses of Parliament after a fire in 1834 and whose architectural style was highly decorative. This influence is to be seen in the ornate Gothic carvings which decorate the Marble Church’s exterior. The interior features several kinds of marble, from Ireland, England, France and Italy. The Victorian stained glass windows are also notable.

The church was built with a type of limestone from nearby Llanddulas whose appearance resembles porcelain. Two nooks by the western entrance were made from Aberdeen granite, because St Kentigern hailed from Scotland. Expert stonemasons were recruited from around North Wales, especially Anglesey.

The churchyard contains the grave of Elizabeth Jones, mother of the renowned Victorian explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley, and the war graves of more than 80 Canadian people who died at a nearby army camp in 1918 and 1919. There is also a group of British war graves from the same war, and from the Second World War and Falklands conflict.

  • Wildlife haven

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Social heritage stories

  • National heritage here

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Famous connections

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Captivating architecture

  • Wifi

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Parking within 250m

  • On street parking at church

  • Non-accessible toilets in church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Church shop or souvenirs

  • Car park at church

  • Café within 500m

  • Café in church

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Church in Wales

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Trillo

Llandrillo yn Rhos, Clwyd

Mae’r adeilad syml, to carreg, bach iawn hwn, yn wyth troedfedd o uchder ac un droedfedd ar ddeg o hyd; mae ei waliau o drwch dwy droedfedd ac o dan ei allor, mae ffynnon sanctaidd St Trillo.

Santes Gwenfrewi

Gwytherin, Clwyd

Beddrodau seintiau, safle cysegredig cyn-Gristnogol hynafol - a choed yw 2,000 oed sydd ymhlith y rhai gorau yng ngogledd Cymru.

Capel Seion

Rowen, Gwynedd

Mae’r capel yn adeilad rhestredig gradd II gyda chynllun anarferol ac yn gartref i arddangosfa o hanes lleol a hanes anghydffurfiaeth yng Nghymru.