The History of St Arvans

The origins of St Arvans Church are that it belonged to the Monastery of St Kingsmark in 1254. But the circular nature of the church yard indicates that this is a Celtic site of about the ninth century.

The name is spelt in a number of different ways over the centuries including Aron, Ervan, Arvin and Arveyn. The church is dedicated to St Arvan and legend has it that he was a ninth century Hermit who supported himself by fishing for salmon in the river Wye and was drowned when his coracle capsized. There was apparently for many years within the church a stone carved showing a coracle and a salmon.

The original church was late Norman, it was enlarged between 1813 to 1823 with money raised between the parish, the duke of Beaufort, Nathaniel Wells of Piercefield Park (now Chepstow Racecourse) and others. Certainly Wells paid for the distinctive octagonal tower which can be seen today and was built in 1820.

Memorial to Nathaniel Wells	Ruins of Piercefield Park (architect Sir John Soane)

Ruins of Piercefield Park (architect Sir John Soane)

A major restoration took place in 1883. The south wall of the chancel would appear to have a Saxon doorway and if you look closely at the exterior of this door, you can see original stone carving. There is an ancient tenth century Celtic cross in the west window of the north isle which will merit remounting and display when funds allow.

Saxon carving on south chancel wall	Celtic cross in west window

A refurbishment and partial restoration took place in the 1980s when the carved ceiling of the chancel and sanctuary were finally decorated as they had originally been intended when the roof was renewed in the Victorian period. This exceptionally fine decoration includes medieval colours and gold leaf as designed and executed by the internationally renowned church decorators Campbell Smith and Co. who have been responsible for decoration and gilding in Westminster Abbey and many Cathedrals including Gloucester, Exeter, St Edmundsbury and also much work at Buckingham Palace, Windsor castle and other national institutions.

The finely decorated carved sanctuary roof

The Lady Chapel includes a fine sacrament house and statue of the blessed Virgin Mary and the Christ Child executed by the well known sculptor Siegfried Pietz. There are some good examples in the craft of stained glass including the fine east window of the crucifixion which was given by the parishioners in memory of their Parish Priest Fr John Tilley who was in office for over forty years.

Lady Chapel	Blessed Virgin Mary and the Christ Child

The Parish of St Arvans is joined with St Mary's Penterry which has a thriving monthly service. The only access to the church is by foot across a field which gives spectacular views of the Wye Valley area. Penterry Church is called the Vetus Capella (the old Chapel) in the 1223 charter of Tintern. There is little left of the Norman Church today but the rebuild includes simple character and the are vestiges of an ancient piscena to be seen.