Your Penarth Nub News editor yesterday cycled to St Peter's Church, Penarth's oldest building.

After a bit of research, we decided to compile a brief, timelined history of the church. Much of the information was taken from The Friends of St Peter's Church website.

We hope you find it interesting.

48 AD - Roman forces reach the borders of Wales. Their descendents import bring Christianity.

5th century - St Dochau - part of the second wave of Celtic Saints - establishes a monastery in Llandough. A neighbouring community is established in Old Cogan shortly after.

1090 - The Norman baron Robert Fitzhamon defeats a series of Welsh princes and seizes Glamorgan. He has a knight establish a fortified manor at Old Cogan.

Early 12th century - This knight also builds a church consecrated to St Peter. It was smaller than the modern church and had no porch. Herringbone masonry work - popular in Celtic and Saxon communities - is undertaken. It can still be seen today.

1100 - 1600 - A thriving village is established around the the church.

1544 - The Herbert family - an Anglo-Welsh noble family - undertake extensive modifications. The old bellcote was demolished and the main body of the church extended. A porch had been added some time prior to this.

1648 - The Battle of St Fagans in the Second English Civil War. In the aftermath, some scholars believe, Oliver Cromwell's men destroyed a large stone cross in the churchyard that may have dated back to Celtic times.

18th century - St Peter's begins to fall into disrepair. Methodist and Baptist movements deplete the congregation. Locals farmers using the building it as a cattle barn.

1884 - 1894 - John, the 3rd Marquis of Bute, funds the church's renovation. The architect William Fame oversees the renovation, seeking to maintain original features.

September 2017 - Heritage Lottery Fund grant £43,000 to deliver a programme of conservation and maintenance. Exciting archaeological discoveries are made, including a possible altar, the original church foundations and Herbert family gravestones.