St George's Church

St George's Church in Reynoldston is a Victorian parish church standing in the middle of the village on the Gower Peninsula, near Swansea in Wales. The building is a Gothic Revival design, yet it shelters several objects far older than the walls themselves, which makes it a rewarding stop on a walk through Gower.

How did the village and its church begin?

Reynoldston dates to the early 13th century. According to tradition, the settlement and its first church were founded by the Norman lord Reginald (Reynald) de Breos, whose name lives on in the village's name. There is no Welsh name for Reynoldston, which suits its Norman origins.

Why is the dedication to St George unusual?

Churches dedicated to St George are rare in Wales, where most medieval dedications honour local Celtic saints. An English patron saint sets this church apart in the region and recalls the Norman influence on Gower.

What does the present building look like?

The medieval church fell into disrepair and was pulled down by 1866. Its replacement went up in 1866-7 in an Early English Gothic Revival style, designed by architect J. P. Seddon in partnership with John Pritchard. Little of the earlier church remains: only a blocked lancet window in the south wall of the chancel.

Since 10 February 2000 the church has been a Grade II listed building, recorded by Cadw.

What can you see inside?

• A Norman font carved from a single block of stalagmite taken from a local cave.
• A stone pulpit with a relief of St George slaying the dragon.
• A pillar cross, dated to the 9th century, brought indoors in 1977 so the stone is protected from weathering.
• A stained glass window by Nathaniel Westlake, dated 1905, by a well-known glass artist of the Victorian and Edwardian era.

Frequently asked questions

Where is St George's Church? In the centre of Reynoldston, on the Gower Peninsula in the City and County of Swansea, South Wales.

Is the church old? There has been a church here since the early 13th century, but the current building dates from 1866-7. Older elements survive inside, including the font, the cross and a fragment of window in the chancel.

Is it a protected building? Yes. It holds Grade II listed status granted by Cadw.

Who will enjoy a visit? Anyone interested in church architecture, medieval history, or village walks on Gower. A visit is usually short, so it pairs well with a hike over the nearby hills and along the peninsula's coast.

What makes the interior special? A mix of objects from different eras: a Norman stalagmite font, an early medieval cross and a Victorian pulpit showing St George and the dragon give a small village church a surprisingly rich collection.

Reynoldston is a quiet village and the church is its natural landmark. For a traveller it is a good place to see several layers of history together: Norman beginnings, early medieval carving and a Victorian rebuild.