St. Meilig Llowes

St Meilig Llowes was the second church to visit on my little quest on looking at the churches Kilvert visited. I had to look for it my was back from Clyro as I missed it on the way. That was not the only thing I missed that day a small plaque on a sundial dedicated to Francis Kilvert was the other thing. I saw the sundial but took little notice of it

 

 The parish church is dedicated to St. Meilig, who is said to have founded a monastery in the 6th century at Croesfeilig near the village and to be buried there. Meilig may have been one of the sons of Caw and brother to St. Gildas. He is mentioned in Culhwch and Olwen as one of the knights in the court of King Arthur. The church was completely rebuilt in 1853, though the base of the tower may be medieval and the iron-banded font is thought to be 12th century. St. Meilig's Cross, which originally stood at its eponymous site (Croesfeilig), was moved in the 12th century to the churchyard, and in 1956 (to prevent further erosion) into the church itself. The cross, carved into a standing stone, is believed to date either to the 6th or 7th century or to the 11th century. Local legend referred to the cross as "Moll Walbee's Stone", claiming it was thrown there by "Moll Walbee" or Maud de St. Valery, the immensely strong and indomitable wife of William de Braose, lord of Hay-on-Wye castle. Whilst carrying stones in her apron from the quarry at Glasbury to rebuild the castle, one fell into her shoe. She pulled it out and angrily threw it over the River Wye to land in Llowes churchyard.

 

 

On the was along the path from the gate, the sundial is to the bottom right

South view of the church

South east view from down the hill a bit

Looking at the east end across the churchyard

 

North side view of the church

 

Heading to the north west end

North west end of the church

Collage showing the tower

Looking north from near the churchyard entrance on the west end

Looking east on the south of the church

The churchyard is quite overgrown being left for nature to look after it

I cropped this photo to give a closer view of Kilverts sundial placed there by the Kilvert society

A fare number of tomes are in the churchyard all getting overgrown now`

Fenced family vault not forgotten

This tomb has the end fallen off I think Samuel Lloyd and his Wife who died in the mid 1800s would be distraught to know this had they been alive

The churchyard to the north of the church

North west view from the far east end of the churchyard

More recent headstones near the older part of the churchyard

I was taken with this headstone of David Lockwood and his wife Wilhelmina

The porch beacons us to go in

Looking down the church from the back

Chancel arch into the chancel

Portrait view of the chancel

Going out wide angle

The altar table which looks quite recent

Looking back through the chancel arch

The nave from the chancel arch

Closer view of the back

The bit I find interesting is the fact the original west wall of the church is exposed showing that the roof was lower, you can a stained glass window through the inner one

The altar and chancel window from in front of the altar rails

The chancel or east window is quite superb I probably should have taken photos of the panels and dedications at the base

Calming of the seas of Galilee

The inscription  at the base. Captain Richard Collinson was the captain of HMS Enterprise which was a sailing ship

I wondered about this window the balcony looked older than the surrounding part and you can see what looks like a perspex window fitted on the other side you can the stained glass

This plaque below explains some of it and I wonder if it was the added perspex window that it referred to

A reminder of WWI

I felt it was fitting to be reminded of the sacrifice they made

A memorial to L/Cpl Sam Price

The roll of honor from WW1

Memorial window

This one to Flying Officer Kennith Davies

The head of Jesus with the crown of thorns can be seen on another window

The pulpit

where you look down on the pews

The organ over on the north wall by the chancel arch

George III coat of arms

Commemorative plaque

Bequest from John Hugh

Memorial of Rev John  Williams

Various memorials in the church

This is some information on the stained glass east window

Prayer panels and chairs. there is a panel behind one of the chairs that looks like it came from beneath the one by the organ

The new font

and the older one I prefer

Last of all St Meilig's St. Meilig's Cross

Till next time may I wish you all a peaceful week