A guided tour around St. Teilo's Church, Bishopston

This page is absolutely packed with photos that you can enjoy looking at. Any words that are underlined are hyperlinks to photos (which will open in a new window, so that you don't move away from this page).

The Tower - this can be described as English or Norman type and is typical of Gower Churches, being of simple construction, as is the main building dating from the late 12th or early 13th Century.

The roof was of thatch, up to 1831, but was in such a dilapidated state that a few weeks after the new Rector arrived, it collapsed into the Nave.

The battlements were probably restored in the 19th Century but the Tower was undoubtedly designed as a safe refuge for the villagers from sudden attacks by marauders from the sea. The clock was purchased in 1886 having given many years service on the Old Brewery in Swansea. The bells are dated 1713 and 1714, weighing 6 cwt and 4 cwt respectively.

A further notable architectural feature is the “corbel table” of Welsh pattern which runs around the Tower below the battlements.

The Porch - was built in 1851, probably to commemorate the 20th year of the Rector - David Jones.

The internal layout of St.Teilo’s may appear quite traditional, but it has seen many changes over the years.

In the 18th Century – the time of square pews- the Rector had two such boxes erected in the Chancel for his Family and friends. During the long period, (60 years) that David Jones was Rector, the Church was typical of the Georgian period of ugliness - the interior was plain and unadorned. The choir and orchestra were stationed in a gallery at the West end of the Nave, whilst the services were extremely Evangelical in form.

The Chancel - on the North Wall hangs an oil painting of The Madonna and Child, artist and date unknown. On the South Wall there are some interesting features – in the corner is a stone Piscina, which was a sink in the form of a stone basin, formerly used in the Mass. Between the windows is a wall safe known as an Ombrey where the Sacrament can be held in readiness for the sick.

The Alcove holds the “PEACE” sculpture -dedicated to the memory of ALL who have died in War and the Holocaust. It was created by William Sked of Murton (1995).

The East end of the Chancel roof is panelled and the wooden ribs appear to be part of the original roof.

The Chancel floor is paved with Ancaster Flags ( from Lincolnshire ) and blue Honiton stone.

Before the restoration of the Church in 1927 there were several people interred beneath the Chancel. These were removed and buried in the Churchyard, and the Tombstones were placed along the wall of the Old School.

In 1891 the new Rector –Peter Potter- introduced much needed improvements at the East end. He transferred the Choir from the West Gallery to the new stalls in the Chancel, and simple Choral Services became the established rule. The Rector also provided a “Holy Table” of carved oak on which to celebrate Holy Communion and a Dossal (Altar hanging) and cross were subsequently added. Later a new Pulpit and Lectern were added. He also introduced the Eastward position and the use of coloured Stoles.

The Nave – seats 150 people in open pews, installed in 1896 and replacing the old traditional pews built to improve the church in 1836. There is a fine hammer-beam roof which was revealed in 1927 when the old ceiling was removed and opened up to the roof. The walls of the Nave and the Chancel were also plastered and painted at that time. Several early English Lancet windows are to be found in both the Nave and the Chancel. The perpendicular style windows are all modern installed in the 19th Century .The large window adjacent to the Pulpit was blocked up around 1869.

The Font - is late Norman, carved out of a single square block of limestone, standing on a circular stem, the Oak cover is modern and was presented to the Church in 1925 by Helen Morgan.

The plan of the church below, has links to photos from the plan itself, simply click on the name of the stained glass windows, or for a closer view, read the text below and click on the links to the 'zoomed in' sections of each window.

Stained Glass Windows –are found throughout the building, erected to the Glory of God and as Memorials to individuals, subscribed by groups or families, many designed by a local Artist, John Edwards. To identify the windows please see the plan in the centre of this booklet.

1. The St.Francis window - dedicated to the memory of Gerald Bellingham. (zoom animals, zoom St Francis)

2. Window-dedicated to the memory of Thomas Lloyd – a lifelong loyal Parishioner and Churchwarden. (zoom left angel, zoom right angel)

3. The St.Teilo window-dedicated to the memory of Ronald Thomas, ( Rector 1960-1972) .This window depicts Teilo riding a stag. When he was offered all the land he could cover in one day, he chose the fastest animal. He and his brothers then planted considerable orchards on the land and their fame spread throughout Brittany where these events took place. (zoom apple tree, zoom St Teilo)

4. Lancet Window representing St. Iudocus- patron Saint of the countryside, dedicated to the memory of Mr. and Mrs William Jones of Rock House. (zoom fish signature)

5. The East Window – was the first stained glass window to be placed in the Church, and is a Memorial to the seven men of the Parish who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918. The window contains three lights. The centre one reveals our Saviour on the Cross, the others represent St.Teilo and St David with a soldier kneeling .

6. The two–light early English Window- has stained glass representing St.Simon and St.Jude – placed in memory of Rev. Peter Potter, Rector (1891-1913) and his wife. The face of St.Simon is said to be a likeness of Peter Potter and in the lower right-hand corner is a portrait of Mrs. Potter. (zoom Peter Potter, zoom Peter Potter's wife)

7. Small lancet stained glass.- illustrates two of the favourite symbols used by Rev. Brian Evason- the candle bringing light - the light of the world.- and “Professor Mouse”, from his great collection of mouse-parables. This window is one of two placed in memory of Rev. Brian Evason. (1973 –1993). (zoom mouse, zoom candle)

8. The Millennium Window Installed in 2000, by public subscription. It depicts places of worship in the village and the river disappearing underground in Bishopston Valley. (zoom river, zoom left buildings, zoom right buildings, zoom Celtic Cross)

9 This window -presented to the Church by Dr.P.Cosgrove in 1969 is in Memory of his Wife and has a series of interesting features. In the left hand window –the top figure represents Mary. Below it is a casket- a symbol associated with Mary. Below that again is the badge of The British Medical Association; at the base is a medallion of Three Cliffs Bay. In the right hand window – the top figure represents Martha. Beneath is a bunch of household keys- the symbol of Martha. Below this is the symbol of St.Luke-The Physician. At the base is another Gower view - Worms Head, Rhossili. (zoom Mary, zoom casket, zoom BMA, zoom Three Cliffs Bay, zoom Martha, zoom keys, zoom St Luke, zoom Worms Head)

10. The small lancet Peace window- in the vestry – is also in memory of Rev. Brian Evason. (zoom doves)

11. The small stained glass- under the organ balcony was donated by St. Thomas Church, Eustis, Florida

The Last Supper collage in the sealed window space was made and donated by Nora Peacock MBE.

The Lord’s Prayer fretwork was made and donated by Mr.Meyrick.

The Church Plate - not kept in church – consists of a number of interesting pieces. There is an Elizabethan Silver Chalice bearing the inscription “ POCULLUM ECLESIE DE BISHOPSTOWNE”. There is also a large silver Paten – of the reign of George 1st with an undecipherable makers mark. In the centre is engraved in script “ DEO ET ECCLESIA DE BISHOPSTON” and around it “ EX BONO FRANK DAVIES A.M. RECTOR IBID ANO DOMINI 1717” . A modern Silver Paten, having the Hallmark of 1891 with the maker’s mark TP, was given by Peter Potter. The pair of brass candlesticks were presented to the church by A.O.Thomas. The Altar Cross is of plain brass.

The Parish Registers – begin in 1716 and are complete down to the present day. The church also possesses copies of the Bishop’s transcripts of the Parish Registers , the earliest is dated 1671.

Opening times and key from Winston Hotel all year. Groups ring 232140 (Until the appointment of a new Rector please contact either of the Wardens Mr Stuart Phillips 232444 or Gwyn Roberts 234227)