St Mary's Catholic Church, Monmouth

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Monmouth

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St. John Kemble

2005 pilgrimage to the grave of St. John Kemble Perhaps one of the greatest glories of this little church is its association with St. John Kemble, who was martyred at Hereford in 1679 and who lies buried at Welsh Newton, a few miles outside the town. The Parish exercises the privilege of organising a pilgrimage to his tomb every August, on the Sunday nearest to the 22nd, his feast day. (Click here to see photos of this year's Pilgrimage)

altar dedicated to St. John Kemble At the rear of the Church is an altar dedicated to the memory of St. John Kemble. It consists of two small benches, which could be separated to disguise their real purpose in dangerous penal times. They were used for the celebration of Mass at Pembridge Castle near Monmouth. The reredos of the altar is made from the bed of Matthew Pritchard OFM, Vicar General of the Western District in the 18th century. He resided at Pethir near Monmouth at the home of the Catholic Lorrimer family.

The creation of the altar was the work of Thomas Abbot, who also restored Kemble's grave at Welsh Newton. Abbot gathered other artefacts associated with St. John, namely a chalice, now at Archbishop's House in Cardiff, a missal annotated by John Kemble and a missal stand. The parish also possesses a magnificent red chasuble embroidered with Opus Anglicanum work and dating from about 1502. It was believed that it belonged to St. John Kemble. There is no evidence for this although he may have worn vestments of this type.

More about the life and martyrdom of John Kemble.

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St.John Kemble allowed his last pipe

More about the life and martyrdom of John Kemble

John Kemble was born at Rhyd-y-car Farm in the parish of St. Weonards. His parents were both Catholics and, as a boy, he was used to priests being received in the household and the celebration of Mass therein. About 1620, John entered the English College of Douai. He was ordained priest on 23rd February 1624 and celebrated his first Mass on 2nd March. Three months later he returned to his native country as a missionary priest. There he was minister to local Catholics for the next 54 years.

In 1630 his brother George leased Pembridge Castle, and it was here that John Kemble had his home. Not much is known of most his ministry although it is thought that his name was put forward as a possible Archdeacon of South Wales in 1643. The family, being royalist, also experienced some difficulty during the period of the Civil War and the Cromwellian Commonwealth (1642-1660).

In 1678 came the atrocious perjury of the Titus Oates plot - this alleged that Catholics were plotting to assassinate Charles II and to replace him with his brother, the Catholic James, Duke of York. All over the country, Catholics were thrown into prison and priests condemned to the terrible death and brutal mutilation reserved for those found guilty of high treason.

John Kemble was kept in Hereford Gaol until the Spring Assizes of 1679. Although there was no suggestion of his having been involved in the Plot, he was found guilty under a Statute of Elizabeth I, which equated overseas ordination with high treason. He was condemned to be hanged and drawn.

In April, he and other condemned priests were ordered to London by the House of Lords. The journey was a severe ordeal for the old man who was probably suffering from severe arthritis or rheumatism and could not ride a horse. He was tied to one! After interrogation aimed at establishing involvement in the plot - which failed - he was sent back to Hereford in May. This time he walked the route - 135 miles!

John Kemble languished in prison until confirmation of his sentence in August. He was executed on the 22nd of that month. The body was decapitated, but he was spared ultimate indignities of disembowelling and quartering.

Church of St. Francis Xavier, Hereford His body was claimed by his nephew, Captain Richard Kemble and buried at night in the churchyard at Welsh Newton. As a token quartering, his hand had been severed. It soon acquired a reputation as a remedy for diseases and finally found rest in a jewelled reliquary which now resides in the church of St. Francis Xavier at Hereford.[Back to top]

                                            St. Francis Xavier, Hereford