Church of St Tegfedd

Cadw's description

Location

In the centre of Llandegfedd village.

History

The church in form is C12 or early C13 and the reused lancet windows agree with this. The chancel arch is inscribed 'This church supposed to have been built between 1150 and 1250 was rebuilt on the old lines by voluntary contribution in 1875-6. The ancient door and windows were replaced in the new walls and the structure excepting this arch was restored as nearly as could be known to the original form and features. The east wall and window from its order and condition seemingly of much later date was not rebuilt in 1875-6. This arch is a sacred gift in memory to John James of this parish and Sara his wife whose bodies are buried underneath. He was born at Lansoar on the 25 January 1779 and died there on the 22 January 1859....' From the surviving details work was done to the church in the C16 and C17 and it was then largely rebuilt in 1875-6 by E A Lansdowne for John James of Lansor (qv). It has been little altered since.

Exterior

The church is built of squared rock faced blocks of local sandstone, mostly typical of Victorian work, and is roofed with stone slates with ridge tiles. Nave, with gabled west porch and chancel, all small and extremely plain. The porch has an apparently C17 principal rafter truss with two tiers of purlins, and the porch as a whole may date from then or have been rebuilt using the existing roof. The door within the porch is C17 or older, of four panels with strips applied over the joints; this is in an altered chamfered arch of which at least the head is rebuilt. The east gable of the nave has two bells set in an alcove above the porch gable. These are said to be dated 1705 and 1876. Bargeboards to the steeply pitched roof. The south wall of the nave has three, possibly C17, 2-light chamfered windows with lattice panes. The north wall has two lancets, the outer ones genuine, the centre one a copy. The chancel has a slightly lower ridge and lesser roof pitch. The south wall has a priest's door and a 2-light window. The north wall has a lancet. The east wall was not rebuilt and has a 3-light window with arched lights under a square head and hood which may date from 1541.

Interior

The inscribed chancel arch explains the history of the present building. The interior is wholly plastered and painted except for the stone of the semi-circular keyed and chamfered chancel arch. Many of the fittings and the arch braced collar roofs are of 1875-6, but earlier features include a range of early C19 box pews on the north side. This is a rare survival in south Wales. The font is possibly medieval, but the parts do not seem to fit together, and the pulpit is C18. There are a number of fine C18 wall monuments with well-cut lettering, including a particularly good one to David Williams, died 1729.

Reason for designation

Included as a church almost wholly of 1875-6, which retains a number of good earlier features and has a well preserved character.