16693

 

II  

Designated  

15/12/1995  

15/12/1995  

Church of St. Gwendoline  

 

Powys  

Bronllys  

 

Llyswen  

313337  

238008  

N  

Located immediately NE of the centre of the village, approximately 60m from the A.470.  

Religious, Ritual and Funerary  

 

 

History: The church is set in an oval churchyard, and is probably of early origin, although the early site, in Llangoed Park, was given to the See of Llandaf in c.560. The present structure, the original dedication of which is unknown, is largely the result of the extensive rebuilding of a small 2-cell Norman and C15 church by Charles Buckeridge in 1862-3 at the cost of £997.9s. The nave was lengthened and the tower added to replace the earlier saddle-back bellcote. The stone S porch was also replaced with the present timber framed structure. Exterior: Squared sandstone rubble with a tiled roof (replacing stone in 1964). Pyramidal stone slate roof on tower. Two cells, nave and chancel, with W tower and open timber framed S porch. Two light windows with plate tracery and cinquefoils in spandrels under hood mould. Chamfered lancets to chancel, triple at E end. Larger lancets to tower with a 2-light W window. Coped gables to nave and chancel, each carrying a stone cross. Interior: Walls plastered. Trussed rafter roof. Plain pointed chancel arch as wide as the chancel, which has a similar but lower trussed roof forming a barrel. Three tiled steps to altar at E end. Tower arch of 1 chamfered order springing from imposts. Fittings: Font C12, a heavy hemi-spherical bowl set on a low stone column and base. Pulpit, limestone, set on N side, C19 and semi-circular, the top drum with incuse devices. Sanctuary rail on iron stanchions. Wooden altar. Pews C19. Glass: War memorial E window. Figures in N and S lancets, a gift by Mrs Christie of Llangoed Hall, by C.Edwards c.1946-70. Single bell in tower of 1666. Included as a modest C19 church with medieval origins, picturesquely set in relation to the village. Reference: Haslam, R. 'Buildings of Wales' Powys (1979), 357.