The Tithe Barn, Abergavenny

Barn in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

The Tithe Barn

Type| Barn
Location| Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Coordinates| 51°49′16″N 3°00′58″W﻿ / ﻿51.8212°N 3.0162°W﻿ / 51.8212; -3.0162
Built| C.16th century
Governing body| Priory Church of St Mary, Abergavenny

Listed Building – Grade II*

Official name| The Tithe Barn
Designated| 7 May 1952
Reference no.| 2375

Location of The Tithe Barn in Monmouthshire

The Tithe Barn, Monk Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire is a tithe barn of late medieval origins which forms part of a group of historic buildings in the centre of the town. It is a Grade II* listed building.

## History

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External detail on the tithe barn

The barn is of late-medieval origin, with a likely construction date in the 16th century.[1] The building was constructed for the storage of tithes payable to the church authorities of the Priory Church of St Mary.[2] Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, the barn was used for a variety of functions, including a theatre in the 17th century and a discotheque in the 20th century.[2] By 2002, the barn was in a state of considerable dilapidation and was again taken into the ownership of the Priory Church, which following a major reconstruction,[1] operates an exhibition space in the building.[2]

## Architecture and description

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The barn is constructed of whitewashed sandstone rubble, with walls that are now significantly out of true.[1] The architectural historian John Newman describes their present appearance as "waveringly deformed, but originally must have been quite a showpiece."[3] The barn is of seven bays, and the original three cart-entrances have been blocked.[3] The eaves of the roof have lines of pigeon-holes with perching ledges.[1]

## Notes

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1. ^ a b c d Cadw. "-The Tithe Barn, Abergavenny (Grade II*) (2375)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
2. ^ a b c "Welcome to the Tithe Barn". St Mary's Priory Church. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
3. ^ a b Newman 2000, p. 97.

## References

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* Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.