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St
Julitta's
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St Julitta's Church
standing near the junction of the Afon Llugwy with the Nant y
Gwryd just below the outfall from Llynau Mymbyr is the smallest
in Snowdonia and is now a registered charity ( no. 1068756) - "Friends
of St Julitta's Church"
The Friends of St Julitta's have been working to renovate and
conserve the church building for the benefit of public,
residents and visitors. They are also responsible for the
maintenance of the churchyard - for more information , or to
join the Friends, you can
e-mail
them by clicking here
History of the Church
Originally known as Curig's Chapel it gave its name to the
hamlet of Capel Curig - the early chapel would have been of
timber and wattle construction possibly on this site at the
first crossing of the river. At the foot of the mountain, at
some distance to the church, stood Gell y Mynach, a monks cell
probably attached to the priory at Beddgelert. Tradition has it
that this was the residence of the monk who ministered here in
the middle ages.
The main building of the current church is likely to be the
work of the 13th and 14th centuries, and retains the "double
square" plan of nave and chancel. The South chapel was
added around 1500; the bell turret, the present door and window
openings in the 19th century - the bell is dated 1623.
Until 1848, Capel Curig formed a chapelry in the parish of
Llandegai but was administered by the priest from Dolwyddelan.
with the growing number of visitors to Capel Curig in the 19th
century the old church became too small to accommodate the
congregation and a new church was opened in 1883. The new church
was dedicated to St. Curig, the boy martyr and the dedication of
the old church was then changed to St. Julitta - Curig's mother
The old church remained in use until the 1970's when it was
deconsecrated. The Friends of St. Julitta's leased the building
from the Church of Wales in 1998 with the aim of preserving the
building, and restoring it for use by the community and visitors
to the area.
The Churchyard
The cemetery is the last resting place for generations of
people from Capel Curig and many of those killed in mountain
accidents. On its grave stones is written a rich history of the
people, their homes and places of work.
The churchyard is also a haven for a wide range of insects,
birds, mammals and plants - it is being managed with
conservation in mind in the interests of wildlife.
Architecture
The plan of the original church is typical of old churches in
Snowdonia and now unique in the district - the only example
where the double square (the length is twice the width) has not
been altered in later times.
The church was created by the people of Capel Curig, financed
by them and built by its craftsmen and represents the simplicity
and essence of the settlement in early days.
Saints Curig and Julitta
Curig Lwyd (Curig the
Blessed) is believed to have been a 6th century bishop of
Llanbadarn, Wales where several churches are dedicated to his
honour. But in Norman times the dedication to the Welsh saint
gave place as in other Welsh churches to the child martyr
Cyriacus ( or Cyricus) and his mother Julitta.
When persecution against
Christians was raging under the 4th century Roman emperor
Diocletian a wealthy and pious noblewoman named Julitta was
widowed with a three year old son named Cyricus. As a Christian
Julitta decided that life in her native Iconium (in central
Turkey) was too dangerous.
Taking her son and two maids
she fled to Seleucia and to her alarm found that the governor,
Alexander, was savagely persecuting Christians. The four
fugitives journeyed on to Tarsus but unfortunately Alexander was
paying a visit to that city when the fugitives were recognised
and arrested.
Julitta was put on trial and
brought her young son with her to the courtroom. She refused to
answer any questions about herself except to say that she was a
Christian. The court pronounced that Julitta was to be stretched
on a rack and then beaten. The guards about to lead Julitta away
separated the son Cyricus from his mother - the child was crying
and the governor Alexander in a vain attempt to pacify him took
Cyricus on his knee.
Terrified and longing to run
back to his mother Cyricus kicked the governor and scratched his
face. Alexander stood up in rage and flung the toddler down the
steps of the tribune - fracturing the boys skull and killing
him.
Cyricus's mother did not
weep - instead she thanked God and went cheerfully to torture
and death. Her son had been granted the crown of martyrdom. This
made the governor even angrier and he decreed that Julitta's
sides should be ripped apart with hooks and then be beheaded.
Both Julitta and Cyricus
were flung outside the city on the heap of criminals bodies but
the maids rescued the corpses of the mother and child and buried
them in a nearby field. |
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