St Saeran's Church, Llanynys, United Kingdom

St Saeran's Church lies in the village of Llanynys, Denbighshire. It has one of the finest medieval paintings in North Wales. The church's former importance is today evidenced in the sheer size of the interior which is large and spacious; it had close links with the Bishops of Bangor, who were its 'rectors' or owners. Like many Denbighshire churches it is double-naved and has a fine pair of the characteristically local late-medieval hammerbeam roofs. The fluted timber pillars between the naves are more unusual, and much later, dating from a restoration in 1768.

The church was founded in the 6th century, but the site may be of Celtic origin, and was home to a clas or religious community.

Directly opposite the door is the most significant work in St Saeran's, a huge 15th-century mural of Saint Christopher. The painting was rediscovered under plaster in 1967; this rare survival is much the finest medieval wall painting in North Wales. The saint – according to legend a giant who served as a ferryman – is shown carrying the infant Christ across a river, with a flowering staff in his hand and a shoal of fish round his feet.

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User Reviews

Dave (13 months ago)

kyle davies (3 years ago)
Excellent church x I love going here as it holds my grandparents in the churchyard a lovely place. Llanynys will always b with me x

Yuzuki Stardust (4 years ago)

clare nicklin (6 years ago)
Shepherds Hut near ruthin,through Sykes cottages. Excellent inside and out,great host and views.

Steve Galloway (6 years ago)
St Saeran's Church is a fascinating church situated in the heart of the Vale of Clwyd. A church is believed to have been founded as early as the 6th Century here and supported a community or perhaps monastery, although the site may have served earlier Celtic purposes. Today the oldest feature of the structure is a 13th Century door on the western elevation. The double naved church is surprisingly large, which hints at its former regional importance to the Bishops of Bangor. Unique to this church, a 15th Century wall painting of St Christopher carrying Christ across a river is a rare medieval find. Other ancient treasures include a tomb effigy of a Bishop and a hexagonal stone perhaps representing St Saeran. St Saeran's benefited from a £2.5 million restoration/preservation program between 2013 and 2015.

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