Llanllawer Church
Llanllawer Church, dedicated to St David, stands proudly on a promontory above the River Gwaun and the village of Llanychaer. Not quite yet a ruin, but sadly, well on the way with the roof incomplete and a candidate for severe damage in future winter storms. It is believed to have been closed for public worship since 1992.
It is likely that this is an ancient Christian site with its hill top prominence and possibly an even older holy well site, nearby. The existing building dates from 1860 when it was rebuilt on the foundations of an earlier medieval church. Little is known about the medieval church other than a description of it by the architect involved in the building of its replacement.
Robert Jewell Withers was a London architect who was involved in the rebuilding and restoration of numerous church sites in West Wales. He described the old Llanllawer Church “as being dilapidated and almost roofless with a local population of 123 and no income whatsoever”. A new Clergyman, Rev. D.O. James was appointed in 1858 and he was appalled to discover that “the church was denuded of all fittings and the parishioners have nothing to rest themselves upon but the remains of the Communion table and rails”. He quickly set about raising funds for its rebuilding – Robert Withers was engaged to prepare a design, the contract was let for £400 and the builder was Mr James of Llanychaer. In July 1860 the first service was held in the new church.
Llanllawer Church is unusual in that it has four medieval crosses – two used as entrance gate posts and two others incorporated into the structure of the building. The church is built from local materials with Bath stone around the windows – it is quite probable that stone from the medieval church was incorporated into the new build – the medieval crosses being examples of this. At the foot of one of the walls is an ancient stoup – a stone basin fed by a spring, which it is said, never runs dry. Some years ago, the bell was removed from the bellcote for safety reasons – sadly it is not known where it is now.
A recent survey led by archaeologist Jack Rowe of Dyfed Archaeological Trust has shown that the original churchyard was larger with evidence revealed by a geophysical survey, of a ditch and possible entrance to the south of the present graveyard boundary. During the survey the churchyard was partially cleared of undergrowth and the gravestones in that area were plotted and recorded.
Included in the recorded headstones was the grave of Rev William Griffiths, the first minister of Tabor Chapel in Dinas which was founded in 1780 – he died in 1822. Also a number of graves of the Harries’ family of nearby Trellan who were very much involved in the Calvinistic Methodist movement. Trellan is said to be the original meeting place of followers prior to the establishment of Pentwr Chapel in Fishguard in 1759.
Further information can be found using the following links:-
Dyfed Archaeological Trust
Robert Withers – Architect
Coflein – St David’s Llanllawer
Please note that the church and churchyard are in private ownership and are not open for public access
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Photograph of the above-mentioned external stoup, taken in 2007 when the church was still in reasonable repair. Now, with the roof slates falling off above, the location is dangerous to access.
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/458232
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