St Mary Magdalene
Monknash, Glamorgan
Peaceful country church where once there were monks and which remains a place of pilgrimage today.
Holy Trinity Church, Marcross, with its characteristic saddleback tower, stands just off the road to the popular Nash Point. The earliest documentary reference is in 1254, but the church was built earlier, probably in the second half of the 12th century. The church consists of Tower, Porch, nave and chancel
The Norman work can be seen in the round chancel, tower and south porch arches. The chancel arch is distinctive, with bold chevron decoration at the top. The inner arch of the porch rests on capitals decorated with foliage, and the outer arch has rectangular mounding resting on two grotesque heads. The large font is also Norman, the circular bowl decorated at top and bottom with moulding.
That there was a rood-loft in the church is shown by the tall former doorway cut into the chancel wall, and the supporting corbels either side of the chancel arch.
One of the two windows on the south side of the chancel is lower than the other; this is a rare ‘low-side window’. Its purpose is debated; some regard it as a leper’s window or to provide a view of the altar for others excluded from coming into the church.
A major restoration of the church took place in 1893 which revealed some interesting features. On the chancel floor was found an incised sepulchral slab, carved on which is a cross, bible and chalice which suggests it commemorates an early 13th century priest. In the north wall of the nave was discovered an arched recess in which is a slab with a cross. The nave and chancel oak roof, pulpit, lectern, and altar all date from this restoration.