Builth Churches

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A number of years ago when I started submitting photos to Geograph I visited Builth Wells where I took photos and put them on Geograph. Within weeks, Phil Jones was in contact with me to give more information on the places I visited. Phil had only just started submitting himself, but he lived there. Phil was also finding Firsts, but his health was not helping him, so I found a few places on the OS maps for him to visit easily and which he could get to in his little 4X4. I even passed his car once, parked up when he was taking his dog for a walk, I regret not stopping and going off to see him. In 2011 I received an email telling me Phil had passed away.
A year or so later, I started a Blog called the Church Explorer Link and started publishing the photos of the Churches I visited. As I was still going along to Builth it only made sense to visit the churches around there. After looking for information on some of the churches, I found Phil's website with a list of the churches on it Link. I realized I had already visited a lot of them, so Phil's site became a reference point for me. I decide why not follow in Phil's footsteps and visit the churches even the ones he had been to as well but had not published. If you go onto his site you will find a few in Black with no link, these are the unpublished churches. I managed to visit all the Churches listed and have written this article as a tribute to him.
I have used Phil's description of the churches apart from the ones he did not publish which I wrote and have shown the photos I came across of the churches on Geograph that Phil took.

Abbeycwmhir

This very elegant church is situated just a few hundred yards from the ruins of the famous Cistercian Abbey, where the body of Prince Llewelyn is supposed to be buried. Surrounded by stunning countryside, this very welcoming church, they have tea and coffee making facilities, is well worth a visit. After the closure of the Abbey 1536, it was nearly 150 years later that a church was built here. The present structure, in the 12th century Gothic style, was built in 1866. This is a very close community, with the Happy Union public house opposite, the old school on one side, and the Hall on the other. Approached via signposted road off the A483, a few miles north of Llandrindod Wells. Stone from the ruined abbey was used in the original building, and, according to the diary of the Rev Francis Kilvert 'arches, roof and sculptured figures' were used in the Church at Llanidloes.

Aberedw

This is a great little Radnor Church, whitewashed, like so many in the eastern part of the county perhaps of 14th century origin and a rebuild in 18th century. The porch is typical of this area of the Wye valley and probably 15th century, a similar porch can be seen across the river at Crickadarn.

Alltmawr

This lovely old church, said to be one of the smallest in Wales, is situated just off the busy A470 between Builth Wells and Erwood in the Wye valley. A truly rural church, sheep and lambs grazed in the churchyard on our visit in March 2005. The junction off the main road to the church requires care on entry and exit, and parking is limited outside the church.

Bettws

Located between the villages of Hundred House and Franksbridge, this 1872/73 church is of stone with brick window trims. The roof crests are ornamental over a section of the roof, the remainder are plain. In the neat graveyard the burials seem to be confined to one corner of the graveyard.

Boughrood

A mid-19th century church, with little remaining of any earlier church. The tower in these pictures has undergone rebuilding in recent times. St. Cynog is one of the Celtic saints.

Builth

St. Mary's is a Norman foundation, (the church is listed in a taxatio of Pope Nicholas I in 1291). The tower dates from the 14th century. The present nave, south aisle and chancel were built in 1875. The south porch has a room above it, to which access is provided by a round tower capped with a conical roof. Stained glass in the east wall is by Kempe, 1877 and in the west wall by Heaton, Butler and Bayne, 1945. In the porch is the effigy of John Lloyd, "squire to the body" of Elizabeth I.

Bryngwyn

Situated on side road off the B4594 that will take you to the church St Michael dates back to the 13th century it has a late medieval roof, a pair of medieval carved figures set into south east corner, and Ogham Stone dating back to the 7th-9th in the chancel.

Colva

St David's Church is again typical of the east Radnorshire churches, low with a single chamber possibly 13thC. A quaint wood-built bell-turret at the west. An extremely picturesque timbered porch of 15th century build. During the 1980s several wall paintings were discovered. Well worth a visit.

Cefnylls

Another Radnorshire Church sited near a river, the Ithon. Above the church are the remnants of Cefnllys Castle, little more than grassy mounds now, but apparently built on pre-historic origins. Of the settlement of Cefnllys little remains apart from a few bumps in the meadow around the Church. This medieval church, like Llandrindod Old Church, had its roof removed in an effort to drive the congregation to the main Holy Trinity Church in Llandrindod Wells in 1893! Fortunately the roof was replaced in 1895. Several wall mounted monuments and a nice carved pulpit.

Crickadarn

Possibly built c.14th century, with a tower added sometime in the 16th century, there are, of course, later additions, including restoration of 1867 and 1895. The porch reputed to be of 15th century construction is typical of the area, beautiful yet functional.

Disserth

This early 18th century church, with its whitewashed walls, plays home to a colony of bats. The boxed pews, still bearing the names of the families and farmsteads that used them, tell the story of the old culture of churches in this part of Wales. The tower said to date from the c1400 has a batter at the base, with parts of the church perhaps even earlier. Inside there is a three-decker pulpit, wall monuments and fragments of wall paintings. The church avoided the fate of so many others, it was not rebuilt to Victorian standards! Well worth a visit, and a church where you can feel the atmosphere!

Eglwys Oen Duw

The elegant Church of Eglwys Oen Duw (The Church of the Lamb of God) near Beulah with its beautiful stained glass windows. One of the Victorian-built churches (1867) rather than one which was "modernised" during the Victorian era. Located slightly away from Beulah on the road to Abergwesyn, with roadside parking. Alongside the fixed font are two smaller fonts, said to have come from the now demolished churches at Abergwesyn.

Glascwm

Located on the outskirts of the village Glascwm, this church has parts of the 13th and 15th centuries and much rebuilding in the Victorian times. A very nice village church, quite large, in reasonably well-kept grounds in a very quiet Radnorshire village.

Gwenddwr

Gwenddwr, in the middle ages was home to a priory of the Cistercian monks from Abbey Dore in Herefordshire. This single chambered church still has some 14th century parts including the font, but was rebuilt in 1896. Again a porch typical of this area of north-Brecknock/east Radnor.

Llanafan-Fawr

With its tower rebuilt in 1860s by S. W. Williams, the founding is probably medieval, with later additions and rebuilds. See the links below and the Castles of Wales site for additional information. Opposite the church is the Red Lion Inn, a former farmhouse with cruck-frame.

Llanbadarn Y Garreg

Somewhat typical of east Radnorshire churches, being a low whitewashed church, this one has a bellcote. Possibly originated in medieval times. Later alterations have been carried, but its location under a rock face and alongside a stream, and reached by a walk across a field, make this well worth a visit.

Llanbadarn Ffynydd

Built in 19th century, this Victorian build (S. W. Williams) is said to have used stone from an earlier structure, the roof however using timbers of c1500. Just south of Crossgates and the intersection of the A483 and the A44. The traffic moves fast outside this church, so if you park opposite, cross the road with great care!

Llanbedr

Often referred to as Llanbedr Painscastle the church sits in a large churchyard and dates back to medieval times, the nave is thought to be 14th century but only a couple of things survive that date from the middle ages. In 1818 the church was described as having a tower with three bells but in 1872 Kilvert described it as being a ruin. It was restored in 1879 by J. Evins of Hereford, at the expense of Captain Mynors and the people of the parish. The church is off the B4594 along the road to Llanbedr.

Llanddewi'r Cwm

The church is recorded as in existence in 1183 and 1254. Set amidst a circular churchyard, this church was heavily rebuilt in 1847 by Joshua Daniels. According to the CPAT site, the tower can't be dated. Set above the river Duhonw, alongside the B4520, Builth to Upper Chapel road.

Llandeilo Graban

St Teilo's dates back to the 14th century with the nave and font being the oldest parts. It also has a wonderful barrel roof that I noticed on my first look which is 15th century, it also one of the churches on the Clerics Trail. The church can be found off the B4594 to the village.

Llanddewi Fach

I would not say this was the easiest church to find and I only did so by using both OS maps and Google maps along with the satellite view. I eventually found it by following some very narrow roads off the Paincastle to Clyro road.

Llandrindod Wells

This Church, Holy Trinity was built in 1871, to cater for the visitors to Llandrindod, another of the mid-Wales spa towns, but has later additions. Its history is closely entwined with that of Cefnllys and Llandrindod Old Church, this Victorian church has much to recommend it. the town still celebrates its Victorian connections with a Victorian festival week.

Built on a small hill off Spa Road, its near neighbours include the Commodore Hotel and the Grand Pavilion.

Llandrindod Wells old church

One of the Llandrindod Churches that suffered the removal of its roof in 1893 when the local Archdeacon tried to force the congregation to use the Holy Trinity Church in Llandrindod Wells. The church was completely rebuilt in 1894.(See also Cefnllys.) The Old Church is set on the hillside above the man-made Llandrindod Lake and commands great views over the surrounding countryside. Have a look at the CPAT site for further, more detailed information.

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