Known Unto God
by Carol Powell
All Saints' Church prior to the 1860 extension
On the gloriously sunny day of 27th August 2017, a funeral service with a difference was held at All Saints' Church, Mumbles, when the mortal remains of thirteen people, some of whom were adults and some children, were re-interred in the Churchyard.
They had been discovered under the floor of the Church Porch during renovation works in January 2016.
The Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust examined the bones and concluded that they ranged from those of the medieval period to others of the mid-Victorian era, when a large new extension to the Church had been constructed to the seaward side of the Norman Church.
Photo-The Lying in State
It was decided to re-inter the remains with due respect and reverence at a service in the Churchyard. Mr Paul Murray from William Pressdee, Funeral Directors supervised the committal of a white casket topped with a metal plaque engraved 'Requiescat In Pace', and the service was conducted by the Rev. Keith Evans, accompanied by the tolling of bells, the singing of the Choir, a large congregation . . . and Mitzy, the cat, who often seems to appear at funeral services.
Following the committal, a wreath of pink and white roses was placed on top to mark their resting place. None of us attending, knew or recalled those villagers of long ago, but we will always remember this day.