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The site of St Davids Cathedral has been an active place of worship since the sixth century. Explore the history of St David, or Dewi Sant, the community he founded here and the role he continues to play in Wales today.
- The History of the Cathedral
The idea for restoring St Davids Cathedral had been planted...
- Who is St David?
St David, Dewi Sant, was a leading figure and monk in the...
- The History of the Cathedral
- Establishing St Davids
- The Medieval Cathedral
- The Cathedral and The Reformation
- Restoration
The Cathedral is the result of centuries of unbroken community and worship, from Dewi Sant’s day to the present. The enduring presence of this place in the face of history’s challenges is testament to its power as a centre of faith and hope.
The Cathedral as it stands today was begun by Norman Bishop Peter de Leia in 1181, and, adds twelfth-century author Gerald of Wales, was home to some friendly jackdaws. The central tower collapsed twice over the next century. In the fourteenth century, Welsh Bishop Henry Gower had it repaired and extended in his remodelling programme, which include...
Religious reformers of the sixteenth century, known as Protestants, resented the excesses of wealth and corruption they saw in the Church. They also demanded the Bible be available in commonly spoken languages, rather than the Latin used by the clergy and scholars. Protestant Bishop William Barlow was appointed Bishop of St Davids in 1536. He staye...
Despite eighteenth-century restoration, the Cathedral needed extensive repairs in the nineteenth century. Responding to these challenges, Bishop Thirlwall appointed famous church architect George Gilbert Scott in 1861 to conduct a survey. This was completed and presented to the Cathedral the following year. Scott’s report of 1862 showed that the Ca...
St David, Dewi Sant, was a leading figure and monk in the early Welsh Church who lived in this area in the sixth century. He founded a monastic community here living a simple, austere life in the Celtic monastic tradition which connected the people of Wales with Ireland, Cornwall, France and the Scottish Isles.
The cathedral began to have life again and the famous Welsh Youth Pilgrimages to St Davids (Cymry'r Groes) led many to a life of service in the church and provided the Church in Wales with inspired clergy for a decade following.
Matt Lloyd. BBC News. Getty Images. How accurate is this image of St David? Every year on 1 March, Wales celebrates St David's Day - but how much do we actually know about the country's...
The present cathedral building mostly dates from the 13th century. The tower collapsed in 1220. The damaged areas were rebuilt by 1250, but other repairs were needed after an earthquake in 1248. With various later additions, the building is Wales’ biggest church. Look up at the ornate ceilings when you visit.
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The construction of the new church began around 1180 – 1182, under the patronage of Peter de Leia, the Norman bishop of St Davids. At that time, a Romanesque nave was built, and in the next century a chancel, the transept and a tower at the crossing were added.
