| St Baglan's Church, Llanfaglan | |
|---|---|
 St Baglan's Church, Llanfaglan, from the southwest | |
  St Baglan's Church, Llanfaglan Location in Gwynedd | |
| 53°07′16″N4°18′34″W / 53.1210°N 4.3095°W /53.1210; -4.3095 | |
| OS grid reference | SH 455 606 |
| Location | Llanfaglan,Gwynedd |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Website | Friends of Friendless Churches |
| History | |
| Dedication | Baglan ap Dingad (Saint Baglan) |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 29 May 1968 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Groundbreaking | 13th century (probable) |
| Completed | 1800 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone,slate roofs |
St Baglan's Church, Llanfaglan, is aredundant church in theparish ofLlanfaglan,Gwynedd, Wales. It is designated byCadw as a Grade Ilisted building,[1] and is under the care of theFriends of Friendless Churches.[2] It stands in an isolated position in a field some 150 metres (164 yd) from a minor road.[1]
The size of the surrounding churchyard and the presence within the structure of the church of a stone dating from the 5th or 6th century is evidence that an earlier church or churches stood on the site. It is traditionally credited to its namesake, the 7th-centurysaint Baglan ap Dingad. The present church dates probably from the 13th century.[3] Thechancel was rebuilt in about 1800, when the north porch was also added. Unusually, the church escaped restoration during theVictorian era, and so its interior is still little changed since about 1800. Describing the reasons for its Grade I listing, Cadw states it is "a rare example of a medieval church unrestored in the 19th century, so retaining an exceptionally complete set of 18th-century furnishings".[1] It also comments on its "outstanding isolated setting."[1] After it was declared redundant, the church wasvested in thecharity the Friends of Friendless Churches in 1991, and the charity has held thefreehold since 7 February 1991.[3] It has since been repaired, aided by financial help from Cadw.[2]
The church is constructed in stone withslate roofs. Its plan consists of anave and a chancel under a single roof, a southtransept acting as a chapel, and a north porch. On the westgable is abellcote, and on the chancel gable is a weathered cross. There are no windows in the nave, and the chancel has only a two-light east window. In the south and east walls of the transept are small two-light windows. Over the doorway is alintel consisting of a 6th-century inscribed stone. Internally, the walls areplastered andwhitewashed; the roof timbers are also whitewashed. The floor is paved with slate slabs. There is no division between the nave and the chancel, and the transept is fully open to the body of the church. The east window dates from the 14th century and was resited when the chancel was rebuilt.[1]
Cadw describes the set of mid- and later 18th-century furniture as being "exceptional".[1] The oak altar is enclosed by communion rails on three sides; the rails are supported by slenderbalusters and on the corner posts arefinials. In the southwest corner of the chancel is an oakpulpit and a reading desk over which is asounding board. The seating in the nave, chancel and transept consists ofbox pews and benches, some of which are inscribed with initials and dates. Thefont dates from the 13th or 14th century and consists of a heptagonalgritstone bowl on a heptagonal shaft.[1] On the walls of the church are slate memorial tablets.[1] The bell is dated 1790, and was re-fitted in 2003. An early 19th-century brass candelabrum, achalice dated 1723, and a silversalver of 1752 which were formerly in the church are now in the care ofBangor Cathedral.[3]
Adjacent to the church is a field in which Baglan'swell was sited. This was a structure containing seats, and it was said to have healing powers. It was filled in during the 19th century. The church is now approached through alychgate dated 1722.[3]
On 20 January 2017, the church was the venue for the funeral ofAntony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon. He was buried in the churchyard where the family has a plot.[4]
Media related toSt Baglan's Church, Llanfaglan at Wikimedia Commons