St Cannen Llanganten

I have been asked how I find the churches I visit, well most that are local to me I know about as most English Villages have a church, it is just a matter of looking on a map. Wales on the other hand I look at the map of the area I'm in and see what churches are around. St Cannen was one I knew off and one I thought I had better look up. The only history I can find is on the Benefice website but that has now caused another problem in that it has shown me a few more churches to visit.
"Llanganten church is dedicated to St. Cannen, who is said to be a  grandson of the local ruler Brychan Brecheiniog. Theophilus Jones suggests in the "History of Brecknockshire" that a church has been sited here from the 6th century. The first formal incumbent was appointed in 1574 but a church was in existence in 1282 when the body of Prince Llewellyn, who was killed close by, was temporarily laid to rest in the churchyard. At present the history of the existing church building remains a mystery, but we do know that it was restored in 1880 and the church walls are believed to be 17th century or earlier. The stone font is thought to be 12th century. The churchyard also reveals more history - some of the tombstones  date back to the early 1700s and in the chancel of the church are two stone tablets, one commemorating Rees Price, who died in 1762, and the other, Postuma, wife to William Price (1772)."

The church sign situated by parking area

St Cannen from near the gate

Walking over to the west end of the church

The west end of the church with what I presume is now the groundsman store on the end

Going around to look at the porch and South side

Above getting a view of the East and North sides is not easy as steps lead down to a footpath on the end and the only view of the North side is across a bed of nettles

The lean-to  part on the West end I found interesting with ferns growing in some of the gapes in the mortar

Back to the South side and the porch

Inside the church the first view you get of this very light church

Above looking down the aisle with the chancel arch hear on the right

The Chancel arch again and Chancel

Inside the chancel looking at the Altar

 

Above the wonderful stained glass chancel window

Either side of the Altar are these two old Memorials which I think are the two dedicated to the Price family mentioned in the history

Above the Bishops chair in the corner of the chancel 

Couple more memorials you can see in the church

One of the windows in the Nave

Above a look down the nave from the chancel with a Lecture on the right 

The wooden Pulpit with carved cross on the front

From the pulpit you get a good view of the church

Above a beautiful stained glass window you can see in the church

Beside the Lectern is the small church organ. Right the Font which is thought to date from the 12th Century

Last look of the church

Going outside I noticed a pillar  monument and a little further away this altar type tomb

The urn looked a little out of place & I wonder if it was not off the top of the pillar in the earlier photo

The churchyard looks reasonable size from the end of the church

Above a headstone that has been laid over with these clasping hands about all that is left showing, nearby more headstones

Above one with Ivy creeping on it.
Left couple of older headstones

Going across the path shows a mixture of old and newer headstones telling you the churchyard is still in use

Above the headstone of Ann Parry who dies in 1901, left another monument

The churchyard has quite a few tomb chests in some are broken from age

I suspect this headstone is old being as it has sunk in the ground

Walking further along the churchyard shows it is longer that you think

 Looking towards the church across the row of tomb chests

This headstone has succumbed to the elements and it will not be long before a piece falls away as it de-laminates  

the far end of the churchyard

Above a row of wooden crosses

Above two crosses one covered on moss & ivy. Right looking towards the far west end of the churchyard

The headstone of Sapper Donald G Maclaren Royal Engineers 17th April 1917 age 39

Nearby three small graves

nearby a broken headsone

not far away a fenced family vault now forgotten

Looking west up the churchyard

Above a headstone with floral carving on it. Left a view towards Climery were Prince Llewellyn was killed in battle

Two headstones from the same family looking at the carvings on the top

Near the entrance part of the churchyard well overgrown and hiding some family graves by the look

The churchyard beside the entrance

I'll leave you with this stitch view of St Cannen and its churchyard. Visit if you can it's a pleasant church to spend some time at.

Have a peaceful weekend