Church of Saint Martin of Tours, Haverfordwest

Heritage listing

Reason for designation: Graded II* as a church of early medieval origins, retaining good C14 Gothic chancel arch, sedilia, piscina and porch niches. History: Anglican parish church of Norman foundation, said to have been built 1120 in association with the Castle. First recorded in 1256. Nave, S porch and chancel possibly early C14 with added late C14 or early C15 tower and early C16 S aisle, at which time a priest s room was built over the porch. In poor condition in the late C18 and early C19, said to have little of its original character in 1833. The capitals of the chancel arch were chiselled off for a flat plaster ceiling in 1839-40. Extensively restored 1862-5 when the arcade was rebuilt, the roofs were replaced to a steeper pitch, a N aisle was added to the chancel, and all the windows were renewed. The architect was C. E. Giles of London, the clerk of the works Jesse Harvey of the Prendergast paper mills. The work cost 2,000. The spire was rebuilt in 1869-70, under Giles & Robinson architects, 15 higher than previously, at 47 . Edward Laws writing in 1888 claimed that the previous spire replaced or was built on top of a saddleback roof Noted from the later C19 as one of the few Anglo-Catholic centres in St David s diocese, due probably to the patronage of the de Winton family of Brecon, and the parish was much in conflict with the bishops. Notable successive incumbents were Fr. John Popplewell from 1879, Fr Martin Phelps from 1889 and Fr Arthur Baring-Gould from 1908 to 1953. Fr Popplewell acquired the Father Smith organ of 1704 from St David s Cathedral. The church was frescoed, like Monkton church, in 1895 by C.G. Gray of Cambridge, but these were whitewashed over by Baring-Gould who also ejected a screen and reredos. The S aisle was made into a Lady Chapel in

From Cadw under OGL v3.