4763

 

II  

Designated  

17/06/1966  

10/04/2000  

Lychgate at the Church of St Mary  

 

Gwynedd  

Llanfihangel-y-Pennant  

 

Tal-y-llyn  

271040  

309393  

SE  

The parish church of St Mary stands at the S end of Tal-y-llyn lake, within a sub-rectangular churchyard, beside the main road from Minffordd to Abergynolwyn. The lychgate is in the churchyard wall to the W of the church, opening to the road.  

Religious, Ritual and Funerary  

 

The church of St Mary is of early medieval origin. The surrounding burial ground was probably defined and walled in the medieval period although this lychgate is probably not earlier than the late C17 or C18.  

The lychgate is built with neatly squared stone, with a slate roof gabled to the front and rear, its gables mastering the irregular thick slate roof coverings. Ogee and cavetto kneelers. The entrance front consists of a segmental arch of shaped voussoirs with a chamfered hood moulding. In the gable above a decorative feature, probably C17; a lintel shaped stone with two slight arches on its soffit and a raised central keystone featuring the face of an angel whose head is set in a curved recessed halo. Stone seats each side. The inner arch is similar but less well finished. Iron gates.  

Open raftered roof on a single tier of purlins.  

Included as a lychgate of vernacular character, of interest for its well-built construction and unusual carving of special interest over the outer arch.