St Govan's Church, Llangovan

The Church of St Govan in Llangovan, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a church with late-medieval origins. Renovations took place in the late 19th century. It is a Grade II* listed building and, since being declared redundant in the late 20th century, has been managed by the Vincent Wildlife Trust as a bat colony.

Church of St Govan, Llangovan
Church of St Govan
"home to a colony of bats"
Church of St Govan, Llangovan is located in Monmouthshire
Church of St Govan, Llangovan
Church of St Govan, Llangovan
Location in Monmouthshire
51.7454°N 2.7882°W / 51.7454; -2.7882
LocationLlangovan, Monmouthshire
CountryWales
History
Statusparish church
Founded14th – 15th century
Architecture
Functional statusRedundant
Heritage designationGrade II*
Designated27 November 1953
Architectural typeChurch

History

The church is of Norman origin but the existing structure dates from the 14th/15th centuries.[1] Further building works took place in the 17th century.[1] A Victorian restoration was undertaken in 1888–1890 by A. W. Probyn and J. P. Moore of Gloucester.[2] The church was declared redundant in the late 20th century and, since 1999, has been leased to the Vincent Wildlife Trust which manages the church as a bat roosting site.[1] Occasional public access is permitted when this would not disturb the bat colony.[1][3]

Architecture and description

The architectural historian John Newman describes the building as "late medieval" but with evidence of its earlier origins.[2] The church is small, comprising a nave, a chancel and a porch[1] together with a "gabled double bellcote".[2]

Notes
  1. Cadw. "St Govan's Church, Llangovan (Grade II*) (17426)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  2. Newman 2000, p. 314.
  3. "Bat Reserves-Llangovan Church". The Vincent Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

References
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