The history of St Mary’s church, Nash, known locally as “the Cathedral of the Moors”, is closely linked to the nearby medieval Benedictine Priory at Goldcliff.
In 1113, the Norman lord of Caerleon, Robert de Chandos, granted land along the coast, then wild marshland, to the Benedictine Abbey of Bec, near Rouen in France, for the founding of a priory. To improve the land for farming and reduce the risk of flooding, the priory built sea defences along the coast and developed an intricate system of reens and ditches to drain the land.
The foundation charter for the priory refers to a church at Goldcliff and a chapel at Nash. The present church at Nash dates from this time, although it was extensively rebuilt in the 16th century and little now remains of the original Norman building. The church was once much larger, but the north aisle to the nave was demolished in 1792; the roofline of the aisle is still visible on the tower.
The church tower, with its tall octagonal spire, dates from the 1500s and contains 6 bells mostly dating from the 18th century. It is a landmark for many miles around and was once the tallest structure on the Levels. Although it is still a prominent feature, it is now dwarfed by giant wind turbines and the imposing bulk of Uskmouth Power Station. Unusually, the tower is located on the north side of the church. Beside a small door at the base of a tower is a plaque marking the height reached the Great Flood of 1606/07.
Inside, the church has a complete set of 18th century furnishings, with box pews, a three-tiered pulpit and a western gallery. Look out for a ‘squint’, or peep hole, between the room at the base of the tower and the chancel. This allowed an attendant to view the service and communicate with the bell ringers.
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