Church Of Saint Mary, Rhuddlan

Heritage listing

History: The original church was an aisle-less building of c1300 which was converted into a double-naved church by additions to the N in the ClS. The tower was added later still during the C15. The S nave was originally expressed as separate nave and chancel, but was reconstructed as a single chamber in 1812. In 1868-70, the church was restored by Gilbert Scott, who added the N porch, and renewed much of the fenestration. The internal layout, with the nave established in the N addition, and the chancel set high above it, is also the result of this restoration. Exterior: Squat tower to W of present nave: 2 stages, but undivided externally. Triple window in lower stage, and paired foiled lights to bell-chamber (all Cl9); embattled parapet, and weather vane. Present S aisle is flush with tower to the W; early C14 stepped triple lancet window offset in its W wall, and heavy buttresses to W, probably additions. S wall has recut wide chamfered lancet window, and gabled porch with timbering on stone plinth. Scallopped bargeboards to gable, and traceried doors. Paired lancets either side of a wider lancet window E of the porch. A buttress towards the centre of the aisle marks the original limit of the nave, and the separate chancel which is shown in a drawing of 1782 was remodelled in the restoration of 1812. Paired lancet windows and small doorway towards the E. Triple lancet E window. Earlier roofline of northern nave visible on E wall of tower. Extensions obscure westernmost bay of this nave, which is divided by buttresses into 3 bays: recut paired lancet windows, and a recut 2-light traceried window set high in central bay (probably originally over pulpit inside). Similar paired lancets in eastern bay, and one square-headed window of 3 lights which may be an original featur

From Cadw under OGL v3.