Information about historic builds, churches and chapels in Rhossili and Gower.
The Church of St Mary the Virgin
Visit St Mary’s to discover its rich history and features: a unique Norman arch, Sailors’ Corner, leper window and Celtic font. Study Anne Clarkson’s modern stained glass window dedicated to Petty Officer Edgar Evans of this Parish. It depicts two figures above a crevasse, conveying the bleak inhospitable nature of terrain encountered by Captain Scott’s polar expedition where Edgar Evans perished.
The first church to be built at Rhossili was located at the foot of Rhossili Downs, just north of today’s village, where the Old Rectory is located. It was founded in the 6th century by Celtic monks. They dedicated it to St Sili and this, combined with the Welsh for heath or moor – rhos – gives Rhossili its name.
The church was moved to its present day position after a severe storm in the 13th century buried the church and the village under sand. It was rebuilt, along with the village, higher up on the cliff top, but this time, the church was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. Another severe storm, this time in 1979, exposed some of the buildings from the former village.
You can read a little more about the church’s history and features from its own website here and from the History Points website here.
Pitton Methodist Chapel History
The current Chapel was opened in 1887, and in 2010-11 was beautifully restored. The interior has a period feeling, and an eye-catching feature is a stained-glass window designed by local glass artist Mary Hayman, installed as part of the refurbishment. You can read more about the window here.
