The churches of Francis Kilvert

---

I first came across the Cleric's Trail when I visited St Cewydd's Church Aberedw and noticed the poster for the Cleric's Trail, I did not think a lot about it at the time but then came across another reference to Kilvert at Colva where there was a bust and a copy of the book in a window on display. From then on I found more churches he visited. Finally I read the book to find more about Kilvert and found I had visited quite a few of Kilvert's churches and recognized the places as well. I write a blog called The Church Explorer and I keep a Google map of the ones I visit and I decided to make one for the Cleric's Trail. It only followed that I should write an article for Geograph as well, showing the churches. There 20 churches on the Clerics trail poster but I have come across more which he visited these have been added to the article

St Nicholas Hardenhuish

According to Wikipedia Kilvert was born at The Rectory, Hardenhuish Lane, near Chippenham, where his father was rector of Hardenhuish church St Nicholas

St Peter Langley Burrell

His father was rector at St Peter and is where Kilvert returned for a while after leaving Clyro.

St Garmon's St Harmon

Francis Kilvert serve as Vicar here between 1876 and 1877.
Nice little church to visit and east enough to get to. Kilvert is listed in the list of Vicars of the church but I could not see any other mention of him

St Mary, Abbey Cwmhir

Kilvert visited the church after it was rebuilt
This turned out to be a nice church to visit, and I got to go to the old Abbey ruins as well.

St Mary, Newchurch

Kilvert was a frequent visitor here.
One church you will find refreshments at to aid you on the Offa's Dyke walk

St Cewydd, Aberedw

I can find no reference to any visits here but it is shown on the trail
The first church I came across with reference to Kilvert.

All Saints Newbridge

The church was built after Kilvert died, so I do not know why it is on the trail, there was a temperance hotel along the road, so could he have visited it?
It is one church, as, yet I have not found open.

St Michael Bryngwyn

Kilvert mentions Bryngwyn in his diary and there is information about him in the church.
There is an Ogham Stone in the church and dancing figures of a man and woman on the south east corner of the church.

St Peter, Llanbedr

In 1872 Kilvert described it as being a ruin, so he must have seen it on his travels
I found it a nice church to visit.

St David, Colva

The church where I first found reference to Kilvert, as in the window was a bust of him along with a book.

St David, Llandewi Fach

This was one church that took some finding and trying to work out how to get to it, There is plenty of reference to Kilvert in it

St Michael & all Angels, Clyro

I had to see the first church he was curate at from 1865-72. It was larger than I expected and I found it a bit of a shrine to him. He lived near the church at Ashbrook House.

St Mary, Hay on Wye

Kilvert mentions going to Hay on Wye in his Diary but, as yet, I have not visited the church.

St Peter & St Paul, Whitney on Wye

Kilvert was a regular visitor both to the church and to his dear friend Revd. Henry Dew.

St Andrew, Bredwardine

Kilvert ministered in St Andrew's from November 1877 until his untimely death in September 1879.
I'm hoping to visit this year.

St Michael & All Angels, Moccas

Revd Sir George Cornewall was Kilvert's patron, and they shared a number of interests, especially music.

St Mary, Monnington on Wye

The sister of Revd Francis Kilvert was married to the rector here in the 19th century. Kilvert was a frequent visitor.

Holy Trinity, Hardwicke

Thomas William Webb became vicar and remained for nearly 30 years until his death in 1885. He was a renowned amateur astronomer and author of several books on the subject, most famously ‘Celestial Objects for the Common Telescope’ which became a standard resource for astronomers across the world until well into the 20th century. His friends included Revd. Robert Francis Kilvert.

St Mary, Cusop

A brass plate was given to the church by the Revd Andrew Pope, who was mentioned in the diaries of Revd Francis Kilvert.

St Mary, Capel y Ffin

The church reminded Kilvert of an Owl.

St Eigon, Llanigon

In the 1870s the diarist Francis Kilvert, curate of Clyro, was a regular visitor to the then vicar of Llanigon, the Rev. William Thomas, and fell in love with his daughter, Daisy. Her father asked Kilvert not to pursue the matter, probably because, as a mere curate, he was not sufficiently well-placed. Kilvert noted: On this day when I proposed for the girl who will I trust one day be my wife I had only one sovereign in the world, and I owed that. Daisy never married and is buried in Llanigon churchyard.

St Meilig, Llowes

There is a plaque on the sundial commemorating Kilvert.

Llanlleonfel Church

Kilvert did visit the church and it is mentioned in his diary that it was a ruin

St Mary, Wootton

Kilvert married Elizabeth Anne Rowland in the church.

St Peter & St Paul, Church Hanborough

.


Kilvert mentions a visit here in his diary where he had a conversation with a lady from Goring who was complaining about the gallery, thinking it should be removed. Kilvert did not feel the same way.

---