New Memorial Chapel
The old potting shed at St Teilo’s Church, Llantilio Pertholey has been transformed into a chapel of remembrance for the local people who lost their lives during the first World War.
It was the brainchild of history graduate Jessica Graham, a church warden in the North Monmouthshire Ministry Area.
She said: "I researched the names of the men from World War 1 and as with any research project it takes time. But I hit the jackpot because by the end of 2010, with the help of local resident Graham Hawker I found ten local residents.
"It developed into an idea of creating a chapel of remembrance where the old stone shed for storing garden implements stood. From now on the building will be known as a chapel of remembrance and not Jess' Shed and anyone who uses that nickname will be fined on the spot!"
She said the idea took some time to reach fruition because a riverside walk and then the wildflower walk through the Bible were being developed in the churchyard which has wooden crosses from all parts of the world as the focal point - another scheme developed by Jessica.
The chapel was dedicated on Bank Holiday Monday by the Bishop of Monmouth, the Right Rev Cherry Vann, accompanied by Archdeacon Ian Rees at a service conducted by the vicar, the Rev Julian Gray.
Bishop Cherry explains: "This new Chapel of Remembrance is not only a beautiful piece of architecture, but a testimony to what one person can achieve when they have the vision and the determination to bring something to fruition. It links the present church and community with the past and provides a quiet and reflective space for future visitors to enjoy. Hopefully, along with the ‘Living Churchyard’ in which it is set, the chapel will become a place of prayer and pilgrimage for walkers, locals and tourists from further afield."
The children from Junior Church took an active part in the service with Isaac Bailey and Isabella Mars as sidespeople and eight-year-olds Archie Bailey and Molly Jenkins reading. The service was appropriately held on what has become known as Mons Day, in memory of the men from the Monmouthshire Regiment who fell on that day in 1915 when the regiment was decimated.
The church was full for the service and among the congregation were Josh Van Male director of Foxtail Oak Ltd who completed the magnificent woodwork, and Aaron Hazleham of A H Stonework who built the foundations and walls. The work took three months and the project was challenging for both teams of men. Aaron said he and his father have worked on more than 1,000 churches throughout the UK but this chapel was one of the most difficult because the footings had to go deeper than expected and an archaeologist had to be brought in. Josh said the project was his most challenging because of the intricacies of the framework.
The £57,000 cost was met by grants from the Welsh Church Act Fund, Llantilio Pertholey Community Council, the Diocese of Monmouth and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
As well as being a memorial chapel this will be a wonderful place of peace and prayer.