Open Doors - St. Peter’s Church, Newborough

A few yards down the road from the archaeological site of Llys Rhosyr on the road to Llanddwyn, Newborough, stands St. Peter’s church with its fine panoramic views  of Eryri. Is this the church that enjoys one of the best views on the island?

From the outside it is a simple, unadorned church – no tall spire here – but inside it contains a number of interesting and striking features. Most probably, the first stone church was built here in the 12th century. It’s believed that the chancel (the former St Mary’s Chapel) was built by Owain Gwynedd, one of the princes of Wales, before 1156, and would have been entered by the present vestry door. Owain, who built a number of churches during his peaceful reign, would have worshipped here while staying at Llys Rhosyr from time to time.

The church was extended eastwards after 1300 to form one building, and about 1500 the nave was extended westwards to its present length. The present vestry was added in 1886 using the original door to St Mary’s Chapel. 

The gritstone font, dated 1150, is one of the oldest in Wales. There are two bells in the church, one that was moved from Llanddwyn church at the end of the 16th century; the other dates from about 1690 and both were recast towards the end of the 19th century.  There is a piscine in the south wall near the altar, a kind of bowl used for washing communion vessels, which dates from the period after 1300. The stained glass east window was designed by Henry Wooldridge, a pupil of Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and is believed to be a very fine example of a late Pre-Raphaelite window.

Address - St. Peter’s Church, Newborough, Anglesey, LL61 6SG.
SH 420655  

The church is situated one third of a mile south west of the village crossroads, on a minor road leading to Newborough beach.

Wheelchair access is available.

The church will be open and stewarded on Saturday 6 September between 10am and 4pm.