St. Mary's Church, Tenby

Situated in the centre of Tenby, St. Mary’s Church is an oasis of peace away from the hustle and bustle of tourists and holidaymakers. A religious building has existed for over 800 years at the location, although the majority of its construction dates from the 19th Century. The large ornate windows allow the sunshine to heat the inside of the church on sunny days, yet there are stories of a story of a ghostly priest associated with the church, who, it is claimed, ‘mysteriously’ creates pockets of much cooler air. Descriptions have indicated his attire being that of a monk from the sixteenth century, when King Henry VIII abolished the monasteries and broke away from the Catholic Church, leaving churches and monasteries exposed to danger. A shadowy figure/ monk has been witnessed walking purposefully down the central aisle – a monk? The same monk as the one described as being ‘Tudor’ in origin? Or a memory of a smuggler, as Tenby is rumoured to have numerous tunnels which all apparently converge at the church (don’t such stories often claim this to be the case?). The narrow Sergeant's Lane is rumoured to be a more direct, above ground, albeit perilous route up from the harbour into town. Possibly the same monk or another has been spotted in the surrounding tranquil gardens – known as the ‘Weeping Monk’ of ‘The Monk Who Cannot Rest’, who when approached disappears. Some claim the monk to be a 15th Century cleric who met a tragic state. Perhaps he is a projection of the memories somehow captured by the stones of the church over the centuries? It has been claimed that furniture has been seen/ heard moving and strange noises and moaning have been heard – the church cooling/ heating up during the day? Or something more potentially sinister? As a complete aside there is inside a memorial to Robert Recorde, who invented the ‘equals’ (=) sign!