St Baglan's Church, Llanfaglan, stands in an isolated position in a field some 150 metres from a minor road. The size of the surrounding churchyard and the presence within the structure of the church of a stone dating from the 5th or 6th century is evidence that an earlier church or churches stood on the site. It is traditionally credited to its namesake, the 7th-century saint Baglan ap Dingad. The present church dates probably from the 13th century. The chancel was rebuilt in about 1800, when the north porch was also added. Unusually, the church escaped restoration during the Victorian era, and so its interior is still little changed since about 1800.
Describing the reasons for its Grade I listing, Cadw states it is 'a rare example of a medieval church unrestored in the 19th century, so retaining an exceptionally complete set of 18th-century furnishings'.
References:The church of the former Franciscan monastery was built probably between 1515 and 1520. It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Rauma. The church stands by the small stream of Raumanjoki (Rauma river).
The exact age of the Church of the Holy Cross is unknown, but it was built to serve as the monastery church of the Rauma Franciscan Friary. The monastery had been established in the early 15th century and a wooden church was built on this location around the year 1420.
The Church of the Holy Cross served the monastery until 1538, when it was abandoned for a hundred years as the Franciscan friary was disbanded in the Swedish Reformation. The church was re-established as a Lutheran church in 1640, when the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire.
The choir of the two-aisle grey granite church features medieval murals and frescoes. The white steeple of the church was built in 1816 and has served as a landmark for seafarers.