capel galilea | galilee chapel · 4 5 a vision for the galilee in 1963 the parish magazine recorded...

CAPEL GALILEA | GALILEE CHAPEL

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A Vision for the GalileeIn 1963 the Parish Magazine recorded the then Vicar of Llantwit Major,

Canon Dilwyn Llewellyn Jones, presenting a vision for the refurbishment

of the “Galilee Chapel” which had been a ruin for some four centuries.

Following many twists and turns with both hopes and disappointments

along the way now, fifty years later, through the grace of God this vision has

become a reality. It has been achieved through the dedication, tenacity and

sheer hard work of so many people. I feel very privileged and absolutely

delighted to be writing this introductory letter for the celebration brochure

which traces some of the history, development and reconstruction of the

Galilee Chapel. After lying dormant for over 400 years the “Galilee” seeks

to fulfil a new and exciting role within the life of the church and community

fit for the 21st Century. This new vision for the Galilee is that it will offer a

place of welcome to visitors in relating the story of our amazing heritage.

Illtud’s Great Christian Community established around 500AD has been

described as a “cradle” of Celtic Christianity in Britain. The early Celtic

medieval inscribed stones speak of saints and kings educated at Llanilltud

Fawr and witness to the unbroken continuity of prayer and worship on this

holy site for over 1500 years.

The 21st Century vision for the Galilee is in accordance with its original

intention which can be understood as a “corridor” between the church and

the world. It seeks to welcome all people, both near and far, that they may

experience, learn and be inspired by the heritage, ongoing history and living

faith of this ancient holy site. In this way we hope that the amazing “untold

story” of Llanilltud will “unfold” to new generations.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our funding partners,

supporters, donors, fundraisers, patrons, friends, academic advisors,

professionals involved within the design, construction and interpretation, all

volunteers and the members of the project steering group without whom

this vision would not have been realised.

Diolch o galon i chi gyd,

Revd. Huw Butler

(Rector of Llantwit Major) November 2013

"This new vision for the Galilee is that it will offer a place of

welcome to visitors in relating the story of our

amazing heritage"Revd. Huw Butler

(Rector of Llantwit Major) November 2013

WWW.ILLTUDSGALILEECHAPEL.ORG.UK

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Britains earliest centre of learning

Images L to R:The Chantry priest house and East wall of the Galilee showing two storeys

Above:The Gastineauprint of 1830shows theGalilee as a ruin

The Norman knights, led by Robert Fitzhamon, later Lord of Glamorgan, overran the Vale of Glamorgan some time after 1093. The Catholic Church replaced the loose Celtic system with dioceses and parishes, but Fitzhamon gave the living of Llantwit Major to the abbey at Tewkesbury, which he had recently founded. Here the original church was replaced by a stone structure, now the West Church

Under the Normans, the new manor prospered and grew, and in the 13th century the East Church was added on, the chancel, porch and tower were built, and also a small chapel at the west end. This, until recently in ruins, may originally have been a Lady Chapel, but it also served as a galilee, the starting point of a church service, recalling that it was in Galilee that Christ commenced his ministry. In His words, "After I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."

In the Galilee the priest and his acolytes would robe. Attached to the Galilee was a Sacristy, a room where the silver, robes and linen were kept. At the appointed time, the clergy would process down the aisle towards the chancel.

Our Galilee acquired a new function in the 15th century, when Robert Raglan, a member of the Herbert family, the greatest landowners in Wales, settled in Llantwit Major. His son, Hugh, became vicar here, and also Vicar-General to the Bishop of Llandaff. He, around 1470-80, endowed a chantry, paying a priest to say prayers for the souls of the family every day. The east wall of the Galilee shows that it was a two storey building, with a piscina and a niche at the upper level. Stairs at the west end provided access.

Chantries did not survive the reformation. In 1547 in the reign of Edward V1, they were abolished and the building had to find other uses, but what were they? The floor was raised about 18 inches, half a metre, making it necessary to construct steps between the West Church and the Galilee, and the doorway altered. Two arches were opened into the north and south walls, but not big enough for farm vehicles. Parts of the interior south walls were renewed. The chantry priest lived in what is now a ruin in the churchyard. This served many purposes until a bomb destroyed it in 1940.

THE HISTORY

"After I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee"


In such a busy church, it was impossible to display the stones adequately, and there were frequent criticisms by visitors and in guide books.

Storing the Celtic Stones Between 1888 and 1905 there was a major restoration of the West Church, and it was then that the Celtic stones and the effigies were brought inside. Some were already inside the building, such as the Houelt Cross (in two pieces), while others were in the churchyard, including the Samson Cross, others were in gardens in the town.

Rebuilding the Galilee For many years plans had been drawn up to rebuild the Galilee. In 1963 Canon Dilwyn Llewellyn Jones hoped to create a vestry there, but the funds were not forthcoming. It was the Heritage Lottery Fund that opened up new possibilities.

It was during the celebrations of the Millennium and of 1500 years of unbroken Christian worship here that plans were formulated to rebuild the Galilee and to move the stones there, and also to establish a centre for research into the Celtic Christian heritage of the Vale of Glamorgan. It was Revd. John Webber who set up a "support group" to turn these ideas into action, and a generous Heritage Lottery grant made it possible to look for other funds and approach the architect Michael Davies.

The original chapel had two storeys, but the arches made it impossible to recreate them, so a mezzanine was planned for the eastern half.

The contract for the restoration was given to an experienced firm, Knox and Wells, in business since 1888, under the project manager, Lee Mayes. The work was due to start on July 9th, but no one had looked at the weather forecast.

Left:The Houelt Cross

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Illustration by Chris Jones-Jenkins Depicting the Galilee Chapel as it may have appeared in the late C15. At this time it was a Chantry Chapel endowed by the local Raglan family. The scene depicts a votive mass service in progress with the Raglans and members of their household in attendance.

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THE RESTORATION

Llantwit has an average annual rainfall of 38 inches (950 mms.), driest around May and June, wettest in November and December. In the year from June 2012, to May 2013, we had about 59 inches ( nearly 1230 mms.) July to the end of August, nearly 18 inches. The wettest month was December; it was on the night of the 15th that the floods arrived in Boverton. Some days in February and March were so cold that it was not possible to make concrete. Not a good year.

A grave problem Delays were also caused by problems of access into the churchyard for the builder's sheds and equipment, and by the discovery in November of skeletons, each of which had to be carefully raised by the archaeologist, bone by bone, 2 to 3 days each. One small skeleton was found inside the Galilee, possibly that of a child, and also an ossuary, a pit of human bones, probably deposited here after the West Church restoration. Six skeletons were found in the churchyard, aligned west to east, Christian style, but two others were found aligned north east to south west, and at a lower level, on the base rock.

The restoration begins Building eventually started on Sept. 6, 2012. By December all the main services were in place, and all damaged stonework had been replaced and repointed.

In March work began on the crosses, cleaning and restoration, and the church had its first television personalities. Oak was used for all woodwork, American oak inside and European oak outside. By April, the roof was completed, using slate from Delabole, near Tintagel in Cornwall.

A saturated start

Delays caused by the discovery of skeletons, each of which had to be carefully raised by the archaeologist.

Left:Galilee ruin

Left:Galilee west wall and window complete


internal photos looking

in from the South glass

door and possibly

looking east

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While this work was progressing, others were looking ahead, planning the lay-out of the interior, and making arrangements for the use of the Galilee and the West Church in the future. The exterior work was proceeding slowly, but in time the stonework, a Yorkshire product, was completed, and architraves and windows were installed. Internally, all plumbing and power facilities were in place. Toilets were constructed, the bespoke staircase to the mezzanine was inserted and work could begin on the archive and tea station. It was then possible to begin moving the stones on Sept. 16 2013, and prepare for the opening on Nov. 2 2013.

The start of a new era The completion of the construction will open up a new era. Visitors can be made more welcome, though the ladies of the church are already noted for their hospitality. The archive will be the first centre for research, outside the universities, into the Celtic Christian history of the Vale, a region particularly rich in the period's remains.

Moving the stones from the West Church provides a larger space which enables good access to all sides of the stones, and for church activities and community groups and events. A new era is upon us, with a new space, ready to be utilised.

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With heartfelt thanks to our funding partners, supporters, donors, fundraisers, patrons, friends, academic advisors, professionals involved within the design, construction and interpretation, all volunteers and the members of the project steering group without whom this vision would not have been realised.

Funding PartnersHeritage Lottery FundVale of Glamorgan Creative Rural Communities (European Social Fund)CADWRepresentative Body of the Church in WalesWelsh Church Act FundAll Churches TrustJames Pantyfedwen Foundation

Professional ServicesDavies Sutton ArchitectsParry & Dawkin Quantity SurveyorsGareth Kiddie AssociatesMann Williams Structural EngineersHolloway Partnership M&E EngineeringCardiff Archaeological ConsultantsGirl&Boy Graphic Design

Construction and ConservationKnox & Wells LimitedNimbus ConservationAdhoc DesignCorinthian Stonemasonry

Sponsors of the brochure Therapy Works (excellence in physiotherapy). Llantwit Major CF61 1DL

The West House Country Hotel Llantwit Major CF61 1SP

The Flower Shop (Sarah Thomas) Llantwit Major CF61 1XY

W.A. Brown & Son Funeral Directors CF61 1SG

W James & Son Funeral Directors Rhoose, Fonmon CF62 3BJ

Photography © Crown copyright (2013) Visit Wales


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