I had passed this church a few times seeing it sat back of the road. After working out how to get to it I went along to visit the church. I did think I would find little information on it considering how small the village was but there is a page on Wikipedia.
"The present church dates to a refurbishment in 1866. The church is of typical medieval size and plan and this probably reflects the footprint of its predecessor. The 14th century font inside the church presumably comes from this earlier building. The church stands on an unnatural mound, assumed to be the debris of the earlier church, and within a raised churchyard about 45m across.
It was probably attached originally to the church at Llanafan Fawr ('Llanafan the Greater'), records of both churches during the 18th and 19th centuries show that curates from Llanafan Fawr also served Llanfechan. It was attached to the church at Llanganten by the early 20th century.
St Afan was a 5th or 6th century Welsh bishop, who was usually known as Afan Buallt, indicating a connection with the Buallt area. It is not known where or when he was a bishop, but the name by which he was referred suggests his diocese was around Builth in Brycheiniog with his seat at Llanafan Fawr."
First thing you notice is the churchyard is well kept
The West end with it's singe bell
The East end with a family vault
The porch leading to the church itself
Inside the Church is a single cell with the altar covered in a white cloth
Near the front on either side you find the pulpit and organ
A vase with foliage is displayed on the organ
On the altar is a single candle and the cloth is covered in droppings indicating that bats roost above
From the pulpit you look down the church to the back
The other way you see the altar
From the entrance you can see the whole church
As youleave you pass the church font which was under a cover when I visited, I replaced it after the photo
Back outside at the East end and the family vault, nearby is tomb covered in old headstones
The vault is it's own fenced off area
Looking South across from the East end of the church
Hidden from view under a Yew tree is another forgotten family vault
not far away you can view another family tomb
Some of the older headstones
a tomb made from stone and showing signs of ivy damage
Headstones with footstones
A couple of older headstones on in a deteriorating state with a more moder one in the foreground
Over of the South West side of the churchyard are the more modern headstones
A cross broken off and leans over on the base of a family vault
Looking across the South side of the churchyard to the East end of the church and the older heastones and tombs
I will leave you with this view of the church from across the churchyard and wish you a pleasent weekend till next time
10 comments:
It is a marvelous one. It reminds me somewhat of a church I've known out in the countryside here.
A sweet little church. I am always in two minds about well kept neatly mown churchyards though, I like to see these spaces used to help wildlife and wildflowers, although they do have to be managed in order to do so and not just get overrun by weeds.
I wonder if it has many members?
...a lot to enjoy here!
I'm wondering what the significance of the alpha to omega candle is.
Beautiful, all around, graveyard makes me curious, especially the stone that appears to have a robed figure on top (surrounded by the broken, rusted, iron fence) I find it surprising that they are letting bats nest in a church that still has service (according to the sign?) I guess if they tolerate the guano than why not! Great post as always!
Interesting post. I wonder how they smoothed over that mound.
Hello Bill!
I admire the architecture of English churches. I like the cemeteries at the churches. As always, great relationship and beautiful photos.
Greetings.
What a beautifully unpretentious little church. I love these plain and simple ones best, but having said that, I enjoy the way you tease out all the interesting aspects of the more 'monied' ones, too. I did a double-take on the vase on top of the organ, I have its twin.
ps I particularly like photograph no 5!
St Afan is a lovely wee church Bill, beautifully shown details here. I find the smaller, simpler churches much more appealing ✨
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