This week the Church Explorer is back in Wales to see St Ellyws Llanelieu a church I found on Friends of Friendless Churches who now look after it. The reason because it had an original rood loft, something I have wanted to see for a long time
"St Ellyw's Church is the main feature of the scattered settlement as well as being the source of its name (Llan-Ellyw). Saint Ellyw is said to have been one of the many saintly offspring of Brychan, legendary 5th-century king of Brycheiniog who ruled from nearby Talgarth. The church of St Ellyw dates from the 13th century and, unusually, escaped Victorian modernization so that it preserves many of its medieval features. It is now redundant, but is cared for as a Grade I listed building."
North west view of the church
Walking past the west end
Around to the south side
Then the east end
West end with porch and bellcote
The cote was added in 1905
Iphone view of the south side
The porch and churchyard on the south side
I noticed these two stones beside the porch and thought they looked old, they are thought to be 7th to 9th century
Looking further across the churchyard headstones can be seen scattered around
Most are old covered and in lichen
Near the church more tombs and headstones
A fenced family plot now forgotten
Headstones in various stages of falling over
South of the church from the steps
Collage of headstones
These two stand on the east end of the church
The porch
Inside an 16th century oak frame doorway which replaced the medieval one
This is what I had come to see what I thought was a rood loft but turns out to be a full height rood screen
The frame in front used to hold a second screen which hid nave altars
Decorations can still be seen on the frame
Closer view shows the outline of the rood that would have been here, the dovetail cutout most likely where it was attached
Looking down the church to the screen
Looking through the frame to the altar
The simple altar table and cross
Looking to the back of the church
Memorials on the walls along with wall paintings
Altar rails east window
closer view of the altar
The early 18th century pulpit was the culprit for the screen being removed and the frame cut to allow access
View from the pulpit
The chair is stood on what looks like an old table top, may be an old clerks desk
Two more memorials in the blocked priest doorway
Wall paintings mixed with memorials on the north wall. The lion an indication it was a royal coat of arms
These three memorials are of the Davies Family
Other memorials you can see in the church
Up in front of the altar you can find a row of tombs though these are damaged and the altar rails are fixed to them
Memorial in the lancet window by the altar
This one in the window where the nave altar would have been
Remnants of wall paintings can be seen
You can just make out the legs of Adam & Eve along with the snakes head
The east window with cross and words Holy, holy, holy
The font looks 18th century
But I will leave you with some more views of the rood screen
I feel lucky to have seen this and would love to have seen the original
I was disappointed to find it was an elaborate rood screen but It's amazing to thing the screen which was built so long ago and still survives today.
Till next time I with you all a peaceful week
