PORTSKEWETT CHURCH

The parish church of St. Mary is mostly Norman with its massive walls and its chancel arch. It consists of nave and chancel, a tower at the West end, and a large porch on the South side.

It is considered to be one of the best examples of early architecture in South Wales. In the North wall is the remains of what is thought to have been a priest's door, and over it is a massive stone showing a Greek-shaped cross.

The original parts of the church date back to the late 11th century and are made of local limestone; the carved crosses on the blocked up back doorway could be even older. The church has been restored and altered on a number of occasions. The small windows in the upper part of the tower, for example, are typical of the 16th century. In the corner of the churchyard can be seen the steps which formed the base of a medieval churchyard cross.