4236

 

II  

Designated  

19/10/1971  

26/06/1998  

Church of St Maelrhys  

 

Gwynedd  

Aberdaron  

Pwllheli  

Llanfaelrhys  

221011  

326838  

 

Situated on N side of minor lane running S and E off Aberdaron-Rhiw road from junction at Penycaerau.  

Religious, Ritual and Funerary  

 

Parish church of medieval origins, extended to E at an uncertain date and with C19 windows, door and W bellcote. The interior still has pre-Victorian box-pews and benches.  

Parish church, rubble stone with single slate roof and C19 W bellcote in squared stone with slate-capped gable and single arched opening. Coped E gable. Massive boulder footings suggest medieval origins, but W wall appears rebuilt except for cornerstones. W arched doorway with stone voussoirs and double ledged doors. Narrow arched light each side and another high in gable. Within doorway is passage with doors right and left and double doors into nave. N wall has blocked door to W end, roughly pointed with stone voussoirs. S wall has two C19 cross-windows, small-paned with one quarter opening. On S wall is another blocked door with segmental head, probably not medieval.  

Plastered walls, 5-bay C19 roof of pine wishbone trusses. Set-back in N wall possibly indicating original E end. Two steps to sanctuary, plain rails and crude timber pulpit. 12 box pews on side with panelled doors and bench at W end. N side has 8 backless benches linked by a bench along wall. 5 bench-ends inscribed 'Nanhoron'. Then 2 box pews, lower than those on S. Medieval font, irregular octagonal bowl, whitewashed with cross on one face, ring mould around shaft and splayed base.  

A simple vernacular church retaining late Georgian box pews and benches.