Parish Church of St Nicholas, Monington, Pembrokeshire

 A church was recorded in on this site in 1222. Rebuilding of the church began in 1860 to plans by Robert Jewell Withers, architect. The church was threatened with closure in 2011, but was saved by the intervention of an anonymous benefactor.

ST. NICHOLAS, MONNINGTON, PEMBROKESHIRE - The present church, of the ordinary Welsh type. — that is, a mere barn, with clay floor and no seats, — is to give place to an excellent, unpretending design, by Mr. Withers, to be built on the same site, but on a somewhat larger scale, at a cost of only £450, the stone being given. Mr. Withers provides, with his usual success, a nave, chancel, south vestry, and north porch, and accommodation for 76 adults, at this trifling cost. The architectural style is a very good, simple type of Early Pointed; and the arrangements are excellent. A bell-cote for one bell stands over the chancel-arch, and gives character to the very plain exterior. We are greatly pleased with this unaffected design, and hope to meet Mr. Withers where he may have more scope for his powers. [Ecclesiologist Vol 1860 Page 268]

Taking down and rebuilding Monnington Church, Pembrokeshlre. Mr. Withers, architect. Tenders received: S. James, Cardigan £571 13 0; J Joseph 553-10 -0; D Morgan 519-0-0; D Jenkins & Company, Cilgewan £481-15-0. [Building News 2 November 1860 page 849]

MONINGTON CHURCH —This church was re-opened on Wednesday last. The Rev. Mr James, curate of St. Dogmell's, read the service, and. the Lord Bishop of St. David's preached a very impressive sermon. ….. The church is a very neat edifice, built under the superintendence of Mr Withers architect, by Messrs Jenkins, Thomas, and Davies, of Cardigan. [Welshman 24 July 1863 page 5]

CARDIGAN - The little church of Monington, near Cardigan, has just been reopened by the Bishop of St. David's.  The new church is from the designs of Mr. Withers, and is one of those very small edifices found in most Welsh parishes where the extent of the parishes is large and the population small and scattered. The nave is only 30 feet by 18 feet, and the chancel 20 feet by 15 feet, local stone quarried near the site has been used for all external work, with Bath stone internally, and red deal for all roofs and fittings whatever, stained and varnished. Five steps lead to the chancel and the altar-table, which is of oak, stands on a foot pace, with a simple reredos of tiles, stone, and alabaster behind the same. The seats, which accommodate eighty adults, are simple and open, supplied with kneeling boards, the stalls and reading desk being a little more dignified. Pulpit lectern and font all partake of great simplicity. The works were completed by the contractors for a sum under £5000. [Church Times 5 September 1863 page 246]

The church of St Nicholas, rebuilt in 1884, (1864?) is an edifice of stone in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, nave, porch and a belfry containing one bell: there are 77 sittings. The registers date from the year 1784. The living is a vicarage, annexed with that of Llantood to the vicarage of St Dogmael’s, net yearly value £325, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of St David’s and the Board of Patronage, and held since 1917 by the Rev. Jenkin Griffith Hughes B A of St David’s College, Lampeter, who resides at St Dogmael’s…’.[ Kelly Directory 1926]    

Re-opened    July 1863

Reference    Ecclesiologist 1860 page 268
Reference    Building News 2 November 1860 page 849
Reference    Builder Saturday 5 September 1863 Page 642 with notes
Reference    Buildings of Wales: Pembrokeshire page 296
Reference    The Welshman 24 July 1863 page 5 – opening
Reference    Church Times 5 September 1863 page 246
Reference    Glen K Johnson