St Beuno's Church, Penmorfa
Encyclopedia
St Beuno's Church, Penmorfa, is a redundant church
near the settlement of Penmorfa, some 2 miles (3 km) to the northwest of Porthmadog
, Gwynedd
, Wales. It has been designated by Cadw
as a Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches
.
as a cell towards the end of the 6th century. The nave
of the present church dates from the 14th century, and the chancel
from the following century. The south porch was added in the earlier part of the 18th century, while the vestry
was added later in that century. During the 19th century there were three restorations; in 1851–53, 1880 and 1889. The last restoration was carried out by the Chester
architect John Douglas
. After it was declared redundant, the church was vested
in the charity
the Friends of Friendless Churches in 1999, who hold a 999-year lease
with effect from 19 November 1999. In addition to carrying out repairs, the charity has commissioned a cabinet to contain the church's collection of historic bibles.
stonework, with a slate
roof. Most of it is thinly rendered
, and the west end is pebbledashed. Its plan consists of a four-bay
rectangle, with a continuous nave and chancel. Near the west end is a south porch, on the north side is a vestry, and there is a bellcote on the west gable
. In the porch is a small window on each side, one of which depicts Saint Gybi and the other Saint Cyngar. To the east of the porch are three square-headed two-light windows. In the west end is a square-headed window in the gable, and a round-headed window below; the latter replaces a former doorway. On the north side are two windows similar to those on the south side. The east window has three lights. On the southeast corner of the church is a sundial
dated 1816.
above a dado
. The chancel screen is Jacobean
in style and decorated with arcades
. The octagonal oak pulpit
is panelled
and dates from 1887. The lectern
and the font
cover were carved by Mrs Constance Mary Greaves, an aunt of Clough Williams-Ellis
; the lectern is in the form of an angel with spreading wings, while the font cover is an eagle. The east wall of the chancel is panelled
with wood taken from a box pew
of 1680. The stained glass includes a north window by Ward and Hughes
dated 1896, and a window in the chancel by Meyer of Munich
. In the west window is glass dating from the 16th century. The church contains a number of monuments, and a hatchment
of 1870.
, built in 1698 and restored in the 19th century. It is built in stone with a slate roof and has wooden seats on each side. It is also listed Grade II.
Redundant church
A redundant church is a church building that is no longer required for regular public worship. The phrase is particularly used to refer to former Anglican buildings in the United Kingdom, but may refer to any disused church building around the world...
near the settlement of Penmorfa, some 2 miles (3 km) to the northwest of Porthmadog
Porthmadog
Porthmadog , known locally as "Port", and historically rendered into English as Portmadoc, is a small coastal town and community in the Eifionydd area of Gwynedd, in Wales. Prior to the Local Government Act 1972 it was in the administrative county of Caernarfonshire. The town lies east of...
, Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
, Wales. It has been designated by Cadw
Cadw
-Conservation and Protection:Many of Wales's great castles and other monuments, such as bishop's palaces, historic houses, and ruined abbeys, are now in Cadw's care. Cadw does not own them but is responsible for their upkeep and for making them accessible to the public...
as a Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches
Friends of Friendless Churches
Friends of Friendless Churches is a registered charity active in England and Wales. It campaigns for and rescues redundant historic churches threatened by demolition, decay, or inappropriate conversion. To that end, as of August 2010, it owns 43 former churches or chapels, 23 of which...
.
History
The church stands on a site first used by Saint BeunoBeuno
Saint Beuno was a 7th-century Welsh holy man and Abbot of Clynnog Fawr in Gwynedd, on the Llŷn peninsula.-Life:Beuno was born in Powys, supposedly at Berriew, the grandson of a prince of that realm. After education and ordination in the monastery of Bangor-on-Dee in north-east Wales, he became an...
as a cell towards the end of the 6th century. The nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
of the present church dates from the 14th century, and the chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
from the following century. The south porch was added in the earlier part of the 18th century, while the vestry
Vestry
A vestry is a room in or attached to a church or synagogue in which the vestments, vessels, records, etc., are kept , and in which the clergy and choir robe or don their vestments for divine service....
was added later in that century. During the 19th century there were three restorations; in 1851–53, 1880 and 1889. The last restoration was carried out by the Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
architect John Douglas
John Douglas (architect)
John Douglas was an English architect who designed about 500 buildings in Cheshire, North Wales, and northwest England, in particular in the estate of Eaton Hall. He was trained in Lancaster and practised throughout his career from an office in Chester, Cheshire...
. After it was declared redundant, the church was vested
Vesting
In law, vesting is to give an immediately secured right of present or future enjoyment. One has a vested right to an asset that cannot be taken away by any third party, even though one may not yet possess the asset. When the right, interest or title to the present or future possession of a legal...
in the charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
the Friends of Friendless Churches in 1999, who hold a 999-year lease
Leasehold estate
A leasehold estate is an ownership of a temporary right to land or property in which a lessee or a tenant holds rights of real property by some form of title from a lessor or landlord....
with effect from 19 November 1999. In addition to carrying out repairs, the charity has commissioned a cabinet to contain the church's collection of historic bibles.
Exterior
St Beuno's is constructed in rubbleRubble
Rubble is broken stone, of irregular size, shape and texture. This word is closely connected in derivation with "rubbish", which was formerly also applied to what we now call "rubble". Rubble naturally found in the soil is known also as brash...
stonework, with a slate
Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering...
roof. Most of it is thinly rendered
Stucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
, and the west end is pebbledashed. Its plan consists of a four-bay
Bay (architecture)
A bay is a unit of form in architecture. This unit is defined as the zone between the outer edges of an engaged column, pilaster, or post; or within a window frame, doorframe, or vertical 'bas relief' wall form.-Defining elements:...
rectangle, with a continuous nave and chancel. Near the west end is a south porch, on the north side is a vestry, and there is a bellcote on the west gable
Gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
. In the porch is a small window on each side, one of which depicts Saint Gybi and the other Saint Cyngar. To the east of the porch are three square-headed two-light windows. In the west end is a square-headed window in the gable, and a round-headed window below; the latter replaces a former doorway. On the north side are two windows similar to those on the south side. The east window has three lights. On the southeast corner of the church is a sundial
Sundial
A sundial is a device that measures time by the position of the Sun. In common designs such as the horizontal sundial, the sun casts a shadow from its style onto a surface marked with lines indicating the hours of the day. The style is the time-telling edge of the gnomon, often a thin rod or a...
dated 1816.
Interior
Internally the walls are plasteredStucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
above a dado
Dado (architecture)
In architectural terminology, the dado, borrowed from Italian meaning die or plinth, is the lower part of a wall, below the dado rail and above the skirting board....
. The chancel screen is Jacobean
Jacobean architecture
The Jacobean style is the second phase of Renaissance architecture in England, following the Elizabethan style. It is named after King James I of England, with whose reign it is associated.-Characteristics:...
in style and decorated with arcades
Arcade (architecture)
An arcade is a succession of arches, each counterthrusting the next, supported by columns or piers or a covered walk enclosed by a line of such arches on one or both sides. In warmer or wet climates, exterior arcades provide shelter for pedestrians....
. The octagonal oak pulpit
Pulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
is panelled
Panelling
Panelling is a wall covering constructed from rigid or semi-rigid components. These are traditionally interlocking wood, but could be plastic or other materials....
and dates from 1887. The lectern
Lectern
A lectern is a reading desk with a slanted top, usually placed on a stand or affixed to some other form of support, on which documents or books are placed as support for reading aloud, as in a scripture reading, lecture, or sermon...
and the font
Baptismal font
A baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
cover were carved by Mrs Constance Mary Greaves, an aunt of Clough Williams-Ellis
Clough Williams-Ellis
Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis, CBE, MC was an English-born Welsh architect known chiefly as creator of the Italianate village of Portmeirion in North Wales.-Origins, education and early career:...
; the lectern is in the form of an angel with spreading wings, while the font cover is an eagle. The east wall of the chancel is panelled
Panelling
Panelling is a wall covering constructed from rigid or semi-rigid components. These are traditionally interlocking wood, but could be plastic or other materials....
with wood taken from a box pew
Box pew
Box pew is a type of church pew that is encased in panelling and was prevalent in England and other Protestant countries from the 16th to early 19th century.-History in England:...
of 1680. The stained glass includes a north window by Ward and Hughes
Ward and Hughes
Ward and Hughes was the name of an English company producing stained glass windows. They began in 1836 as Ward and Nixon.Perhaps the most prestigious stained glass commission of the 19th century, the re-glazing of East Window of Lincoln Cathedral, went to Ward and Nixon in 1855...
dated 1896, and a window in the chancel by Meyer of Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. In the west window is glass dating from the 16th century. The church contains a number of monuments, and a hatchment
Hatchment
A hatchment is a funeral demonstration of the lifetime "achievement" of the arms and any other honours displayed on a black lozenge-shaped frame which used to be suspended against the wall of a deceased person's house...
of 1870.
External features
In the churchyard is a large chest tomb, an early example of the type, in memory of William Maurice who died in 1622. It is listed Grade II. At the east end of the churchyard is a lychgateLychgate
A lychgate, also spelled lichgate, lycugate, or as two separate words lych gate, is a gateway covered with a roof found at the entrance to a traditional English or English-style churchyard.-Name:...
, built in 1698 and restored in the 19th century. It is built in stone with a slate roof and has wooden seats on each side. It is also listed Grade II.
See also
- List of church restorations, amendments and furniture by John Douglas
- St Beuno's Church, TrefdraethSt Beuno's Church, TrefdraethSt Beuno's Church, Trefdraeth is a medieval parish church, in Anglesey, north Wales. Although one 19th-century historian stated that the first church on this location was established in 616, no part of any structure from that time survives; the oldest parts of the present building date from the...
– an Anglesey church also dedicated to Beuno