Church of St Tetta

Cadw's description

Location

In the scattered hamlet of Llanddetty, E of the canal and the valley road and close to the S bank of the River Usk; reached by a path down through the sloping churchyard from lychgate by road.

History

Dedicated to St Detyw, various spellings. Probably an early Christian foundation, though churchyard is unenclosed. Existing building appears all late medieval, with remodelled S porch and C19 bellcote. Restored 1872 but description of the church in 1864 by Sir Stephen Glynne quoted by Jones shows this was not a major work.

Exterior

Small church of sandstone rubble with scant ashlar dressings and stone tile roof. Plan of S porch, nave and chancel continuous, W bellcote. Gabled S porch, its apex at wallplate level, has slightly swept eaves; signs of alteration, large quoins; plain S doorway. S nave has 3 rectangular windows of 2 trefoil headed lights and hollow chamfered mullions; moulded 4-centred arched priests' doorway with battened and studded door. Battered E end has Perpendicular tracery in 3 light window. N side has rectangular 2-light chamfered mullioned windows with plain arched heads. W end has blocked W door; bellcote of ashlar and dressed stone has 2 bells. The church stands in a large mostly unenclosed churchyard with a range of tombstones, the earliest of which are to E.

Interior

S porch has small side lights with wide splays, shallow side benches with wood seats, large flags to floor including some tomb slabs; roof of 5 collared rafters with signs of former ceiling. Tudor arched S doorway has hollow-chamfered head and jambs and door with studs, long strap hinges and moulded battens and frame, ledged at back. Interior has repaired/replaced wagon roof with plastered panels. Large C18 wallpainting of contemporary Royal Arms on N wall opposite door. Windows have wide segmental arched splays . Flags, tomb slabs and ledgers to floor throughout including in sanctuary 3 C17 ledgers, two with floriated cross heads and coats of arms. Ledge in W wall may have supported post-medieval gallery. Font is bowl shaped with an octagonal stem broached to a square chamfered base. By priests' door is an Early Christian inscribed stone apparently part of a cross shaft.

Reason for designation

Listed II*as a late medieval church retaining much of its historic fabric and an interesting post medieval wallpainting.

Group value with listed churchyard monuments.