Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
26236
Building Number
Grade
II*
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
28/02/2002
Date of Amendment
28/02/2002
Name of Property
Tower of Church of St David and St Cyfelach
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Swansea
Community
Llangyfelach
Town
Swansea
Locality
Llangyfelach
Easting
264633
Northing
198934
Street Side
Location
Situated just S of the church in the churchyard near the centre of Llangyfelach.
Description
Broad Class
Religious, Ritual and Funerary
Period
History
Medieval tower of former church, the church itself rebuilt on new site lower down churchyard. The church was badly damaged in the early C19 when the belfry collapsed during a storm. In 1869, gravediggers are said to have found the foundation wall of the old church. The tower is probably of early date, from the massive scale and simple design, perhaps C14, but has no visible datable features. Said to originally have a saddle-back roof, removed early C20, one of at least three distinct restorations. The top parapet and a large part of the S face have been replaced perhaps in earlier C20.
Exterior
Detached church tower, square unbuttressed large tower of thin coursed rubble stone with dressed stone small quoins. Very small plain rectangular 2-light louvred bell-opening to each face and some tiny openings lower down, one each face just above mid height, and one slightly lower down on N, W and S faces. E face has low ashlar pointed arch, unmoulded with raised imposts, presumably to former nave, but no other signs of building survive. S side has rebuilt walling to most of the upper third. W side has no door. N side has inserted possibly C17 door with flat grey sandstone lintel and chamfered ashlar jambs. Plank door with wrought iron strap hinges. The lintel is a reused early Christian stone and had an incised cross on it some 30 in high, already much eroded in C19.
Rebuilt parapet has string course below and battlements with flat tops and outer face chamfered. Stone rainwater spouts on N and S sides.
Interior
Not accessible.
Reason for designation
Graded II* as a substantial medieval tower, of imposing scale. One of only three towers detached from their churches in Wales; the others in Henllan, Clwyd and Bronllys, Powys.
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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