St David's Church, Llanddewi'r Cwm, Breconshire

Description

Denomination: Anglican

Dedication: St David

Built: 13th century

Later additions: tower, 14th century; nave, 19th century

Photography: John Ball
Date: 19 February 2010
Camera: Nikon D50 digital SLR

Notes:
1. The chancel, with an original priest's doorway and lancets, is 13th century. The west tower may be 14th century. The nave was rebuilt in 1847. Only the square font on a circular base may be as old as the church here mentioned in 1183. [Source: The Old Parish Churches of Mid-Wales, by Mike Salter, Folly Publications, Malvern, second edition 2003, ISBN 1-871731-62-3]
2. Llanddewi'r Cwm's church sits above a shallow valley a little more than two kilometres to the south of Builth Wells. It is undistinguished architecturally with three Early English lancets in the chancel, and a tower which is presumably medieval in origin. Internally the only medieval furnishing is a font. The churchyard is interesting for its preservation of an earlier circuit within the present enceinte. The tower is undistinguished architecturally and no date can be attributed to it. The nave has little to date it as all windows have been replaced, but if the replacements were copies of originals, the Y-tracery might suggest the beginning of the 14th century. The chancel has Early English lancets, that on south perhaps in its original location, those on north re-set with at least one perhaps not in its original position. The porch is 19th century. [Adapted from the website of the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT), where further details are available.

Image 3:

Monument mounted on south wall (inscription below).

IN MEMORY OF

ELIZABETH WIFE OF

CHRISTOPHER HURDMAN

OF NEW-HOUSE IN THE

PARISH OF

LLANSAINTFREAD [sic] IN THE

COUNTY OF RADNOR

WHO DIED DEC. 27TH 1834

AGED 59 YEARS

My Husband dear a short adieu.
My grief was great to part with you:
My Soul was - - aft to Jesus breast.
To take her everlasting rest.

• http://www.jlb2011.co.uk/walespic/churches/llanddewir-cwm1.htm (link opens in new window)