St. Dubricus Gwenddwr

This was the second of the churches I managed to visit that were in the hills outside Erwood, this marked another of the churches outstanding on my map. The church looks to date back to 6th century but I can find little history on the church other than on the Benefice website so I'll let you click on the link to find out more.

After walking up a track that passed a house you come out on this path leading though the churchyard.

It passes the South side of the church

Towards the short tower on the West end that is quite a common type around here

The North side with the small windows

Here we look along the North side towards the tower

The East end across the churchyard

The church is single cell so the nave and chancel blend together

The altar is tidy with fresh flowers

The altar cross has a plaque saying is was presented for the safe return of four service men that served in the Great war

Turning around you get this great view down the church

There are two organs in the church though I could not say which is used in the services

Above the pulpit and lectern and the view down the church from it

The church bible open on one of the pages

Above the one Stained Glass window showing St Dubricius

The kneelers around the church show various scenes like this collie uses on the local farms

One showing the church

and a leaf

The windowsills are decorated with vases of flowers

Even the font had a display on it

Outside in the churchyard you can see many tombs over by the boundary

Looking back along the churchyard more of headstones can be seen

The odd one being covered in ivy

The North side has many more

Above one Commonwealth war grave to Gunner J.J.Smith

Left the East end of the churchyard

Some of the North side headstones

Couple of Chest Tombs

A family vault

Above the main monument in the vault which is in very good condition with the nave readable

Right some new headstones with older ones in the background

One of the chest tombs which is in good condition though the writhing is getting a little faded

A small table tomb

Above another chest tomb which is breaking apart

Left a tomb where the inscription is visible

Near the tomb with the faded writing are ore chest tombs of varying height and age

Above a leaning cross marks another grave

After this I went across the road to visit the chapel ,

normally this would warrant it's own blog but I only took three photos there was little to see

The plaque tells you it is Bryn Sion Congregational Chapel erected 1888

The chapel looks like it is still in use though there is very little area around the outside and no cemetery to see but the rest is well maintained 

That is my blog for this week, I will leave you with this view of the font cover with a vase of flowers and ears of corn.

Have a happy & peaceful weekend 

St Mary Crickadarn

St Mary Crickadarn was the first of the two churches I was visiting along with the chapels that were nearby. This village was only a mile or so away from the Chapel I visited last week in Erwood. Checking in Wikipedia I found no history on the church but on checking Britain Express I found an one so I would urge you to click the link to read their excellent one rather than me borrowing it. I will tell you that the church dates the 13th century and has a Medieval nave and porch.

Above the way to the church through the small side gate.

If you look you look to the left you can see a stone stile taking you over the wall though I wonder if it may have been a step for mounting a horse in the distant past

First view of the church after going through the gate

Going around the North side  for a view of the 16th century tower

Better view of the tower and the staircase that will take you to the top

The and blocked doorway of the same era

Here we go around to the East end where quite a few old memorials hang on the wall

Above a view up the West end of the tower.

Right the South view of the church

General shot looking across the churchyard to the South East end of St Mary

Going in the Medieval Porch you cannot help but see the holy water stoup and nearbuy the Roll Of Honour

 

This type of memorial is very common to most churches I have visited in Wales, certainly in this area

Above the inside of the church looking down the nave.


Left the altar with a poppy wreath leant against it

Another view of the altar looking to the church banner in the corner

The altar with cross behind on the screen

A simple decoration commemorating Remembrance Sunday

Here we look back along the nave to the back of the church

Above the pulpit with the small organ behind it.

Right looking down from the pulpit to the nave

The organ you saw behind the pulpit

The Roll of Honour you find in the church

Carved in marble with the names of the lost and where the fell. Under hangs a poppy wreath

There are quite a few memorials on the wall

Some are easier to read than others

But all of them are along both sides of the church

and they date  many hundreds of years

Above a small balcony on the west end of the church that takes you to a loft hatch above it

Couple of the older memorials that date to the 1700's

Hard to make out what this but I read it is a royal coat of arms showing the Hanoverian heraldic symbols it has been framed to preserve it

More memorials from the 1700's

The Church also has a photographic record of the village that you can see

And some of the church during the Victorian restoration

The font which looks like it also dates back many hundreds of years

The church yard path beside which you can see the South side of the churchyard

Looking around the churchyard you can see som old headstones along with forgotten family vaults

Going around to the North side you will notice a churchyard extension with more recent burial sin it. This row of wooden crosses look like thy mark the graves of the same family

Looking over to the more recent graves

Walking through the Churchyard you can see some interesting memorials

More of the older headstones and memorials

Looking East towards the village

More older headstones you can see atthe East end of the church

These headstones  are of a different design from what I have seen

I will leave you with a last view of the church and the village sign.

Till next time have a pleasent weekend