Church of St Thomas

Cadw's description

Location

At the upper, south-western end of Penycae.

History

The church was built as a new foundation in 1877-8 to designs of Sir Aston Webb. A foundation stone records in addition the name of the contractors (Phennah and Davies). The stone was laid by Lady Williams Wynne: as major local landowners the family were probably benefactors of the church.

Exterior

A robust Early English style was adopted (and held at the time to suit its 'mountainous district'). Polygonal rock-faced rubble with ashlar dressings, slate roofs with terracotta crestings. Nave with north aisle beneath one continuous slope of the roof; gabled porch towards NW, with timber-framing to gable. Tiered pyramidal bellcote to east of nave, the roof stepped down beyond it. Lower chancel, with organ-chamber projecting as gable in N angle with nave. Paired lancets to aisle, similar window to organ-chamber with quatrefoil over. Small quatrefoil pierced in ashlar to right of porch. West end has high-set paired lancets, with cinquefoil over. Plate tracery comprising paired lancets and roundels pierced in ashlar to S wall. Narrow lancets to chancel enriched by simple hood moulds and continuous sill-band. Foundation stone below plate traceried east window consisting of triple lancets and quatrefoil.

Interior

Nave and north aisle under one roof. 4-bay arcade of cylindrical shafts carrying single-chamfered arches; corbelled responds at either end. Heavily timbered roof with curved braces carrying collars with semi-circular bracing above. Wide chancel arch sprung from corbels. Screen has low base panels and tall open panels with traceried heads. It incorporates a pulpit in its northern bay, which is inscribed as a war-memorial. Choir stalls said to come from church in Overton on Dee. Plain reredos added 1917. Encaustic tiles by William Godwin recorded, but not seen beneath carpet. Figurative stained glass in east window of 1918; the pastel coloured glass in the nave and aisle windows, and the simply floriated windows to south of chancel are presumably contemporary with the church.

Reason for designation

Listed as a rare example in Wales of the work of Sir Aston Webb, a robust exercise in simple gothic forms, apt for its upland setting serving a small community.