St Saeran's Church

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.

Address
Glyn Castell 1, Llanynys, United Kingdom

Established
13th century