Glass raised to restored church

Restoring the church was described as a "once in a lifetime project."

Staff and students at Wales' newest university are playing a key role in restoring some of its oldest buildings.

The Architectural Glass Centre at Swansea Metropolitan University has taken on a variety of challenges.

Stained glass windows at Margam Castle near Port Talbot and Neath's old Windsor Cinema have been restored.

But they are particularly pleased with the outcome of their involvement with a medieval church that has been rebuilt brick by brick at St Fagan's.

St. Telio's was originally located in Llandeilo Tal-y-Bont, near Pontarddulais, until it was decided to re-located and refurbish it at the popular visitor attraction at the national history museum near Cardiff.

Over the last 20 years the painstaking process of moving the building almost 50 miles down the M4 was planned and executed.

Originally built in the 13th century, the restoration has focused on the church as it was in 1520, blending original features with carefully researched refurbishment and decoration.

This was a once in a lifetime project. Alun Adams, Swansea Metropolitan University

The university was tasked with researching and crafting glass panels for the windows in what one glass centre co-ordinator Alun Adams calls one of their most demanding assignments to date.

The university was previously Swansea Institute until it was granted university status earlier this year, although the School of Architectural Glass was established over 70 years ago.

Mr Adams said: "It was on a social visit to St. Fagan's several years ago when I became involved in a conversation with members of the project.

"From there they requested the advice and expertise of the AGC for the addition of windows which would fit in with the 15th century context."

Archbishop of Canterbury

After analysis of the two remaining original glass panels and some in-depth research work began on creating the windows.

"The windows used in this church were not the colourful, pictorial glass that most people would expect.

"The glass of the period was pale green, which looks colourless, and the windows were kept plain so that the wall paintings inside could be seen.

"Installing the windows was a great challenge. There is not a straight line in the church and it took a lot of effort to secure the glass."

Despite additional wall painting still to be undertaken, St Teilo's was officially opened last October by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

Mr Adams added: "This was a once in a lifetime project. Most restorations have an element of many different periods but this is the only one to take a snap shot of one period in its history.

"Is it the same as it was in 1520, who knows? But this was a labour of love with a lot of detailed research work, time and dedication from a number of people."