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Key Image Cadeirlan Deiniol Sant/Cathedral Church of Saint Deiniol
Cathedral Close
LL57 1LH Bangor
United Kingdom
Denomination: Anglican
Congregation: Bangor Cathedral (Esgobaeth Bangor/Diocese of Bangor)
Geogr. Coordinates: 53.22651° N, 4.12743° W
Geo Location
Reference year: 1130
Architectural style: Gothic
Building type: Basilica
Description: Gothic basilica in the form of a Latin cross with a tower over the crossing and another one at the west end
Name derivation: From St Deiniol
Windows
  • Stained glass east window with scenes from the life of Christ (Clayton and Bell, late 19th cent.)
Noteworthy
  • Tiles from the Middle Ages
  • “Eva’s Stone“, a woman’s tombstone of the 14th cent.
  • Octagonal font of yellow sandstone (early 15th cent.)
  • “Christ of Mostyn” (a sculpture of Christ sitting on a rock, with a skull and bones at his feet, the conventional symbols of Golgotha
History:
About 525:   Foundation of the first cell by St Deiniol, who also built a small church
About 546:   Deiniol is named bishop of Bangor, and the church becomes a cathedral
1073:   The church is burnt down by Vikings
About 1130:   Construction of the first stone church by Gruffudd ap Cynan and his bishop, David the Scott
1211:   Soldiers of king John I burn down Bangor and the church
About 1275:   The south transept is extended to its present size
1284:   Reconstruction starts in earnest: The chancel and the sanctuary are extended and get a square end; a Lady Chapel is built in the south transept and a chapel for the two St Johns in the north transept
1309:   The tower on the crossing burns down
Early 14th cent.:   The nave is built to its present size, but with a seven-bay arcade
1402:   The church is heavily damaged during the rising of Owain Glyndŵr
1480:   Reconstruction starts when Richard Cyffin becomes dean
Early 16th cent.:   Bishop Skeffington builds the current six-bay arcade and a new clerestory with a window over each arch
1532:   The west tower is built
1880:   The restoration by Gilbert Scott is completed (work started in 1870)
1966:   The tower over the crossing is raised with a pyramidical roof
1987:   Restoration of the external stoneworks and the roofs starts
Important persons:
Architect:  Scott, George Gilbert (1811–1878, English architect of the Gothic Revival)
Patron:  Deiniol Wyn (Lat. Daniel, c510–c584, Welsh saint, first bishop of Bangor)
Sources
Bangor Cathedral: Welcome to Cadeirlan Bangor Cathedral (information leaflet)
Huws, Daniel, Enid Roberts: Hen Drysorau, Deon a Chabidwl Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor, Bangor 1996
Owen, Meurig: Ancient Cathedrals of Wales. Their Story and Music, Llygad Gwalch, Conwy 2013, pp. 16–46
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TuK Bassler
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