St Melangell's Church

Llangynog, United Kingdom

St Melangell's Church is a small church located on a minor road which joins the B4391 near the village of Llangynog, Powys, Wales. It houses the restored shrine of Saint Melangell, reputed to be the oldest Romanesque shrine in Great Britain.

The church of St Melangell is set in a circular churchyard, possibly once a Bronze Age burial site, ringed by ancient yew trees, which may also predate the Christian era. It sits at the foot of a breast-shaped hill, at the edge of the road on the edge of the Berwyn mountains. Also located at the site is the restored shrine of St Melangell, which is reputedly the oldest Romanesque shrine in Britain, dating from the early 12th century.

The church consists of a nave and chancel in one, an eastern apse, and at the west end a tower. The building is oriented slightly north of true east. Roofs consist of slates with stone ridge tiles and the base of a cross finial at the east end. Black ceramic ridge tiles adorn the porch. The church contains a fine 15th-century oak rood screen with carvings that tell the story of Melangell and Prince Brochwel

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Llangynog, United Kingdom
See all sites in Llangynog

Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Religious sites in United Kingdom

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.9/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

David Ford (6 months ago)
Wonderful setting, very atmospheric and historic pilgrims' church. Five extraordinarily huge and ancient yew trees in churchyard. It's in the middle of nowhere. Road up from Llangynog was not too bad: narrow but flat
Julia Saunders (7 months ago)
A very special place. The church service was simple, informal, inclusive and addressed serious current concerns in prayer. In St Melangell's memory, the church has a particular focus on sanctuary, hospitality and healing. The hospitality was certainly delightful, with tea, buttered bara brith bread and Welsh cakes. Thank you, everyone there!
Tadzio Pies (9 months ago)
Sort of a pilgrimage as one of our children had researched her Confirmation name and picked Melangell. The approach is a longish narrow lane but no one in our large group regretted the detour to visit this tranquil church. Make sure you also go upstairs as there's LOTs of fascinating information boards up there. To think: a few years back there was talk of stripping to roof off and leaving this church to ruin.
Eliot Collins (11 months ago)
St Melangell's Shrine Church in Pennant Melangell is isolated idyll in the Berwyn Mountains, home to one of the oldest Romanesque shrines in Britain. The church is built in a round churchyard, thought to include a Bronze Age burial site. The ring of yew trees around the church are certified to be at least 2000 years old. It is claimed a site of Christian worship has stood here for 1200 years but the current structure dates from the 12th century. There are many interesting features in the church, key among them is the shrine in the chancel. The Shrine of Saint Melangell is thought to have been constructed around 1160 to house the relics of the Saint. In 1561, the shrine was demolished and the stones were built into the Lych gate and parts of the nave walls. Some of the stones were recovered and the shrine was rebuilt in 1989 in its present position in the chancel, with any missing stones replaced with concrete. Beyond the chancel is a small, white-washed apse, containing a crudely carved slab on the floor said to be the grave of the saint herself. The apse was built in 1990 and replaced a square structure in the same place. The current apse follows the curve discovered beneath the foundations of the previous grave chamber. The nave is home to a 12th century font, unusual 17th century candelabrum and 15th century rood screen. The screen featured carvings that tell the story of St Melangell. It also used to bear depictions of Christ, St Mary and St John but these were destroyed in the Reformation. The rood gallery was repaired in the 1989 renovations. Above the screen in the chancel hangs a large 18th century painted reredos bearing the ten commandments, Apostles’ creed and Lord’s prayer in Welsh.
Michelle (2 years ago)
Conducted my mum's ashes burial, absolutely fantastic, friendly minister, stunning chapel
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