Church of St Cwyllog

Cadw's description

Location

In a rural location NNW of the small hamlet of Llangwllog, along a narrow lane leading SW off the B5111.

History

The walls may be c1200 (the period of the cable moulded font) and the church is mentioned in the Norwich Taxation of 1254, but the earliest dateable features are the late C15 N doorway and E window. The plain windows and the W annexe are mid-late C16 and parts of the roof are C15 or C16. Restored in 1854 by D Roberts of Beaumaris, who preserved the C18 fittings.

Exterior

Simple rural church consisting of continuous chancel and nave of 3-bays with 2-bay W annexe built along the same alignment. Built of local rubble masonry with massive quoins. Roof of thin slates with stone copings; E cross finial and single bellcote at W end of nave, squat stack to W annexe gable.

The W annexe has a C16 doorway near the W end, with chamfered jambs and a round head; it has been converted into a window during the mid C19 restoration. At the E end is a modern doorway. There is an original window of 2 round headed lights in a square frame with moulded label at E end of S wall; modern window to the W. The W wall has some original hollow-chamfered gable copings.

The chancel window is a repaired late C15 window of 3 trefoil lights in a shallow pointed arch with moulded label. The nave has a late C15 N doorway at the R (W) end which has chamfered jambs and a pointed head in a square frame with a moulded label. There are 2 late C16 windows in the N wall, each of 3 square-headed lights with chamfered jambs and mullions; there is a similarly detailed window at the E end of the S wall, the other 2 S windows are mid C19 copies.

The bell is said, by RCAHM, to have 3 bulls heads and initials and date: R B W E M C W E T 1661.

Interior

The interior has not been inspected at the time of the survey but is said, by RCAHM, to have the following:

The fittings are mainly late C18. The pulpit and reading desk combined are rectangular in plan with panelled front and sides. The pulpit has a moulded cornice and a high panelled back with a scroll-cresting and the inscription and date: M T I I WARDENS 1769; communion rails round 3 sides of the altar table are probably contemporary fittings.

C13 font is a cylindrical bowl with a cable-moulding at the base. The surface is decorated with carving in relief, the chief motif being an elaborate conventional leaf pattern. Roughly a third of the decoration remains unfinished, a rectangular pattern of knotwork having been set out but not completed and the cable-moulding on the base left as plain roll in part.

Late C18 memorials to:

Rowland Hughes of Bryngola d1762, his wife Margaret (Prydderch) d1801 and their children Mary d1737/8, John d1763 and Jane d1770

William Prichard of Trescawen d.1763, his wife Lettice d1793 and their son William d1803

A fireplace was inserted in the W annexe, probably C18.

William Hughes of Bryngola d1793, his wife Mary (Griffith) d1771 and their son William d1771

Reason for designation

Listed as a good rural medieval church which retains some C15 features and the original simple medieval plan, unusual on the island for the addition of a W annexe. The interior is said to retain C18 fittings and memorials.