Connections to Plas Gunter Mansion in Abergavenny

Connections

You can still see buildings in Abergavenny today which have a connection with Plas Gunter Mansion and the people who lived in it.

St John's

In St John’s Street you can see the remains of the school where St David Lewis’ father was headmaster.

It was originally Abergavenny’s parish church until the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, and in 1542 it became the King Henry VIII grammar school. It’s now owned by the Masonic Lodge. The building is not open to the public, but the 14th century tower can be seen from the street.

Altarpiece

The original painted altarpiece from the Gunter Mansion chapel was re-discovered in 1907, when building work was being done, and is now on display in Abergavenny Museum, within the grounds of Abergavenny Castle.

The Church of Our Lady and St Michael

The chantry chapel of this 19th century church includes a stained glass window dedicated to local martyrs, notably David Lewis. The window features his assumed name, Charles Baker, a common practice to avoid persecution. He was canonised in 1970.

The church now holds vestments worn throughout the recusant period by David Lewis and others.

St Mary's Priory Church

St Mary’s Priory, originally a Benedictine Priory, only escaped destruction during the Dissolution of the Monasteries because the townspeople persuaded Henry VIII to give it to them. Having outgrown St John’s parish church in the middle of the town, they had already repaired St Mary’s and raised money for the bells.

St Mary's became the parish church and St John's became King Henry VIII Grammar School.