Keeping the church doors open

I am always impressed when I enter our medieval churches. How beautifully they are kept, not the least by shining brass and lovely flower arrangements. But how many people even begin to realise that their upkeep is due to the dedication and love of small groups of people across the land who care so much for their churches that they are willing to voluntarily give up a great deal of their time to care for them?

Last week, I was asked to attend a meeting at Monkton Priory Church, which incidentally is the oldest church in Pembroke and one of the oldest in Wales. Mike Davies chaired the meeting which included some of the parishioners who care and raise funds for the ancient church and he stressed how well everyone pulled together in various ways. I was amazed to discover that £30,000 has to be raised each year just to keep the church doors open and that does not include repairs to the church and ongoing maintenance!

Pulling together

Among those present at the meeting was Kenny Davies who does a stalwart job as handyman and maintaining the grounds along with Roger Davies ensuring that the grass around the church is always mown and tidy. Kenny also takes responsibility for organising big fundraising events like the Christmas Tree Festival which has become such a popular annual event.

Two ladies also present were Ann Yerbury and Ann Archibald who are part of the team responsible for the beautiful flower arrangements which do so much to enhance the church and add to its aura of peace and tranquillity. They stressed that when help is sought for donations, they get a good response not only from the congregation wishing to remember loved ones, but even from people who do not come on a regular basis. They get a marvellous response at Easter and Christmas especially.

One of the loveliest exhibitions I have seen in a long time was the Flower Festival last August when the church was filled with flower arrangements illustrating the poetry of WW1. The poems were chosen by Joan Bessant, Vicar's Warden. People and community groups were all invited to take part, including our History Society. The festival attracted large numbers of visitors from as far afield as America, Germany and Bolivia!

Cleaning the church is another big team effort. Pauline Davies and Margaret Sercombe told me that the Mother's Union get together to clean the church along with anyone else who volunteers to help. The working party takes the best part of a day to give the church a good spring clean: cleaning the brass is a huge job.

It is important to all that the Priory Church is kept open to the public so that no one is barred from entering to visit and pray: this is a big undertaking in itself. Meredydd Thomas has performed this task for more years than he can remember and every day opens the church at 9.30 am, closing it at 3.30 pm during the winter months and 5.30 pm in the summer months.

An ancient church

There was a great feeling amongst all that theirs is a duty of care, that they are the present custodians. Looking back on the history of the church, this is a huge responsibility: the Priory Church is woven into the history of Pembroke itself. It was founded in 1098, following the Norman Conquest which saw the invasion and building of Pembroke Castle in 1093. Further, there is strong evidence to believe that the Benedictine Priory established by the Normans was built upon an earlier Christian site for Christianity had entered Pembrokeshire at a very early date: churches and place names reflect this in St. Daniel, St. Govan, St. Petrox , St. Twynnell and of course St. David.

The extent of the old monastic buildings must have been considerable encompassing the Old Hall, the Abbey ruins and the Priory Farmhouse. Some time ago, we had a visit from Father Gildas, of Caldey Abbey, who was of the opinion that the monastery was very large accommodating not only monks, but lay brothers and nuns. It would have been the administrative centre where the populace came to sort out problems and disputes, rites of passage and seek help for ailments. He believed strongly that the importance of Monkton Priory was not fully realised and there is much that needs to be brought to light.

Ongoing restoration

When the monasteries were dissolved under Henry VIII in 1535, part of Priory Church continued to be used as a parish church although the choir and sanctuary became a roofless ruin. However, in a period of Victorian restoration zeal, the church was rescued: Canon David Bowen took over the tenure from 1877 to 1926 and made its restoration his life's work. But restoration is a continual process and funding is being sought to further restore and maintain this beautiful building.

The present Vicar, Rev. Paul Nash, recalled his memories of the Church of many years ago when fetes were great events. He stressed the importance of working together, with one dedicated aim: to keep the church doors open. He felt that there has to be changes too to attract people. Rev. Nash is enthusiastic about the idea to establish a heritage centre in the church and to involve the History Society in this. A great deal of research will be done of course, but such a centre would be a huge asset to Pembroke, a really worthwhile project.

Preserving our heritage

In my own work of recording the history of Pembroke and Monkton, I came to realise the huge importance of the church in the lives of the people who grew up around it. Social life revolved around the church and church attendance was high. In her story in 'Through My Eyes: a community history of Pembroke and Monkton,' Dot Lloyd, the people's warden, recalled:

"I remember the church absolutely packed out at Easter with three morning services and people queuing to get in. Our marriages took place there with wedding receptions at the Church Hall. Youth organisations like brownies, guides, and boys' brigade were connected to the church and, after having married and raised a family, we became involved with the Mother's Union."

It is so impressive that these people have taken on such a massive job, and have done so for many years. They are very worried about the amount of money it is costing to keep the doors open and dread that one day the church will be closed with low attendance, and no young people coming on. "The Church is for the whole community and we are custodians of it." This was the sentiment felt so strongly by all present. And I think we should all care. Whether religious or not, the church is an important part of our heritage, part of what makes Pembroke. Just by supporting their events, visiting the exhibitions, buying refreshments, you too will be helping to keep the doors open.

Church events

Every Thursday is bingo night at Monkton Church Hall 7.30 pm. Dot Lloyd tells me that this is a lovely social evening, well attended and open to all who wish to join in.

Saturday, June 6, gift day - donations to the church are welcomed from all well-wishers.

Saturday, June 20, cream teas starting at 3 pm in the vicarage grounds, if wet in the Church Hall.

Saturday, July 25, for one week - an exhibition of local artists. The church will be filled with paintings and refreshments will be provided throughout the week.