removed and the tower renovated, with further work conducted in both the 1920s and 1930s. Altar rails were added by George Pace in 1965. The church was listed as a Grade I building on 12 May 1963, cited as being a "medieval church on key site in historic town centre", and having a "group value with surrounding listed buildings". Architecture The church is built of coursed local limestone along with local white Sutton stone dressings. One of the more striking features of the church is the tower. The tower has a corbelled wall head from which angle broaches slope up to an octagonal battlemented top section. Although it has been argued that the original purpose of the tower was to be a watchtower or stronghold in case the town was attacked, Newman argues that the lack of arrow loops rules out its purpose as a defensive fortification. To the tower's northeast is stair turret and to the south side a buttressing mass. The interior of the tower houses arches on the east and west sides, both part of the original 13th century design. In the chancel the only original feature is the piscina of Sutton stone. There are piers in the English West Country style, which are described as being crude, with awkward fitting between the piers and arches. There are two hatches in the east wall, assumed for the dispensing of alms, which Newman describes as 'a most unusual feature'. The font is a plain octagonal bowl which tapers down to a roll moulding, it is believed to be 14th century. The stained glass windows of the eastern side of the chancel depict the life of Christ (1868). The south chancel windows depicts Biblical stories of instruction to commemorate one of the headmasters of Cowbridge Grammar School. Notes Footnotes Primary sources Grade I listed churches in the Vale of Glamorgan Church in Wales church buildings 13th-century church buildings in Wales Buildings and structures in Cowbridge John Prichard buildings