Activities

This mission chapel was built in 1898 alongside the marsh to serve parishioners when the main road was impassable.

The dedication to St George is a reminder of the Anglo/Norman influence in this part of Gower: the figure of St George slaying the dragon is carved in relief on the stone pulpit.

The church was founded during the 6th century by St. Cattwg’s missionary to Gower, St. Cennydd. The present building dates from the 12th century and was given to the Knights of St. John by Robert de la Mare around 1165.

The church is cruciform in shape, with an embattled western tower, and the nave and chancel date from the early 12th century.

The church was built by Anglo-Norman settlers around the year 1200, and has a saddleback tower. The doorway surround is a fine example of late Norman work, rare in Wales and unique in Gower.

A church which stood close to Pennard castle and whose remains can still be seen was besanded and finally abandoned in the early 16th century, so that St Mary’s became the parish church.

The original church was probably on the burrows above Three Cliffs Bay. This was besanded in the early 14th century, and probably directly replaced by the present one.

Legend suggests that St Illtyd himself brought the Sutton Stone font to Oxwich. The decoration of the chancel was instigated by Leslie Young, artistic director of Sadler’s Wells in 1931, who used to holiday nearby.

The earlier church was nearer the sea, and the present one built in the 14th century. A medieval tombstone stands in the porch, and the font is probably the original Norman from the first church.