St Padarn Llanbadarn-y-Garreg

St Padarn is a small church which sits beside the Afon Edw. It was brought to my attention when I visited another church which I have yet to go back to. A lady there was telling me about her church mentioned St Padarn telling me it was a favourite of hers. So the first opportunity I had I came along to visit.

The church dates back to Medieval times though only the font and south doorway are original, the rest most likely 17^th century.  The church is now grade II listed
You can read more information on  Britain Express 

Above is the view of the church you see from the road side. As you walk to across the meadow it you get the view on the right

View of the church showing the medieval doorway

going round to the east end of the church

view of the churchyard and church

west end with the bell

closer shot of the bell

View you get from near the door

 Looking down the church

 Stitch of the last two photos

There is the outline of a coat of arms on it  though I did not look at the back to see the writing which is there

 The Evan Evans Memorial

The pulpit and lectern to the left. Never thought to get a photo from the pulpit on this occasion

The altar & altar rails, I swung them open to get this shot

 Some one was very talented to make this though I'm not sure if it is embroidery or lace, impressive though

as ever a very nice floral arrangement 

 This looks back down the church to the font

One of the leaded windows with a floral arrangement in it

 the medieval font

going outside you can see a few headstones on the north side some of them new

over on the west end a few more

the Afon Edw flows on the south side of the churchyard

There you have it a very simple church in the middle of the Welsh countryside and I might add a very peaceful place to pass away a few moments

Have a wonderful weekend

St David Colva

You could say this was the Fourth St David as it used to be part of other three St Davids in the area. In fact it is only a few miles from the one in Glascwm which it was once attached to. The Church dates back to the 13th century and the porch to the 15th century.

First view of St David

The church sign & noticeboard  beside the gate to the churchyard

 A grass path leading to the 15th century porch

The porch I bellcote or as it is also know bell turret

Found the porch hard to get a good shot of with all the sunlight

Closer shot of the 15th century frame

Looking at the church from the east side of the churchyard

The north wall

another north side view

View of the west end and bellcote

 This is a view down the aisle of the church

The altar which is flooded with light

closer view using the HDR mode

the altar itself  

 which looks a bit different when you use flash

 

Looking back along the aisle from the altar

One thing I noticed was the large about of memorials round by the altar . The one on the right is to William Stocking and his son

Like one to James Clee here on the left and James Griffiths to the right

 The memorial to Mary Farr above looks like it should have had some one else's name beside it

A closer view of the inscription on James Griffiths memorial and to a second James Griffits who was most likely his son

 All this memorials look like they were once painted round or replaced older ones

One thing I noticed was the wall paintings 

They were uncovered during the 1980's and you can even make out words on this one

the numbers on this one may indicate a psalm

not sure on this other than the outline of a picture

this looks like it could have been a coat of arms

more words and some color














the clearest is the skull & cross bones the rest of the picture is lost. I wonder what it was or said

 The wooden pulpit is one of the simplest I have come across

though it does have some nice candle holders

The lectern on the other side  of the church has a Leather bound King  James Bible

 still in used and inscribed 1945

nearby in the lancet window is a bust of one of the rectors and a book on his life called Kilverts Diary

one of the windows letting in the light

 Coat of arms at the back of the church

The font at the back of the church is thought to be 12th century

Tad a second go at getting a shot of the altar in normal light

along with the  altar decoration

The ceiling is wood clad 

a nice feature are the old oil lamps on the walls 

Before leaving I had a look though the door in the back of the church , there was a chest there but I had to get a photo of the lath & plaster walls

Though a second door a I spotted this in the dark I think it is a cage that goes over a grave to deter grave robbers, I could be wrong

Daffodils in a cut glass vase

Last look and then outside
 

The daffodil lined path

and  growing near the headstones

by the broken tombs

at the east end near the new graves

sun shines on the neadstones

brightening up their colors

The carvings on some were of doves

and another a book on a cross

The churchyard was well shaded with yew trees

hiding tombs on one side

 Still love the daffodils though

 Some forgotten graves near the boundary 

Daffodils lining the path

 Along with the odd primrose

Enjoy your weekend