24455

 

II*  

Designated  

12/12/2000  

27/03/2025  

Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, St Winifred  

 

Isle of Anglesey  

Amlwch  

Amlwch  

 

243804  

393101  

N  

In an elevated position, set back from the N side of the A5025 on the way out to Porth Llechog (Bull Bay).  

Religious, Ritual and Funerary  

 

Catholic church, 1932-7. Designed by G Rinvolucri, an Italian architect who was originally brought to Wales as a prisoner of war. He subsequently married a local woman, and lived and worked in north Wales, specialising in Catholic churches. He designed a number of other churches in Wales, including those at Abergele and Porthmadog. The church was opened in 1937 by Bishop McGrath of Menevia. In January 1941 the Oblate Fathers took over responsibility for the church and Fr Denis Maher OMI was appointed as the first resident priest in May 1943. Originally the W front was coursed rubble stone with a smooth concrete upper stage enclosing the star window and with an inscription ‘NODD NI SEREN Y MOR’ above. This, together with the rubble stone plinth, was rendered over, possibly in the early 1960s when other work was done inside the church. In 1963 a mural painting in apse showing Christ Crucified against a hilly backdrop was created by Gordon Wallace, and the side walls were decorated with marbled panels, perhaps at the same time. These were all subsequently overpainted, during early C20 renovation work. Due to structural concerns the church was temporarily closed in the late 1990s. It was inspected and listed in December 2000. The church remained closed and in 2004 the parish priest Fr Declan O’Keeffe OMI was advised to permanently close the church. A decision was made instead to repair the church. This work involved replacement of the external roof coverings, making good and redecoration of the external and internal walls, refurbishment of the original floors, renovation of the front and rear steps, new heating and lighting and new sanctuary furnishings. It was reopened and rededicated by Bishop Regan of Wrexham on 1 May 2011. This was followed by further works in c2018 to renovate the hall and install WCs. When the church was reinspected in November 2021 the main body of the church was again temporarily closed for worship due to further deterioration of the concrete structure and the glazed ribs. Services were being held in the hall in the lower floor.  

Striking and individual Catholic church which uses design elements embodying a nautical theme. The main body of the church is a high parabolic vault in stressed concrete which has advanced ribs along its length, resembling the upturned hull of a boat. This is on a roughcast rendered plinth with portholes to each 'ribbed' bay. The entrance faces the road to the S, a dressed stone facade with raking sides, stepped up and surmounted by a plain stone cross. The main, central, entrance is reached by flanking flights of stone steps; a pointed arched doorway of 2 orders. Above the doorway is a star shaped light set within a mosaic surround. Below the main entrance, under the steps, is a square-headed doorway with flanking pointed arched windows. To the rear of the main body of the church is a flat roofed vestry accessed by a dog leg flight of stone steps with rubblestone walls; the top flight over a tall arch. A further doorway to the lower floor of the church is to the rear of the E wall.  

The main entrance leads directly into the rear of the nave (formerly there had been a small vestibule with raking sides). The vault that is such a prominent feature of the exterior of the church also dominates the interior; the body of the church is illuminated by rib-like bands of geometrically patterned lights (manufactured in France). The lateral walls are plastered and painted white. Star shaped lights (made in Chester) follow the line of the steep arch to the apsidal sanctuary Fittings include: a slate plaque at the rear of the nave commemorating the reopening and re-dedication on 1 May 2011; a carved limewood statue of Our Lady Star of the Sea on the W wall of the nave; oak herringbone flooring and benches; painted quatrefoil-shaped ceramic relief Stations of the Cross with hardwood cross finials; carved oak crucifix in the apex of the apse; sanctuary fittings from the 2011 renovation (altar, ambo and tabernacle with plinth of Welsh slate and granite).  

Listed for special architectural and historic interest as a remarkable inter-war church, a highly unusual and experimental design which exploits the plastic qualities of its constructional material to create a powerfully expressive religious building.