St Maethlu
Llanfaethlu, Anglesey
A small country church overlooking the Irish Sea, with medieval fabric, ornate family memorials and possible link to the knights of King Arthur.
St Cybi’s Church is a Grade I atmospheric medieval church of national significance standing within a remarkably well preserved 4th century Roman coastal fort that is of international significance. Also, within the area is a 14h century chapel, Eglwys Y Bedd.
The fort lies on a low cliff facing the lower churchyard with the modern harbour beyond. But in Roman times, the lower churchyard would have been the foreshore where Roman boats would have been stationed. A 2019 Geophysical Survey of the churchyards revealed what is thought to have been a slipway in the lower churchyard suggesting perhaps a boat repair facility. The state of preservation of the fort is perhaps the result of it being in church ownership from the 6th century whilst even today, the church continues to own large parts of this Ancient Scheduled Monument.
Eglwys Y Bedd is a small early 14th century chapel that has an interesting past but is most famous for being the site of Holyhead’s first school that was run by the Revd Thomas Ellis and opened in 1748. The church was founded by St Cybi in about 540AD and has been in continuous use ever since. Cybi refused to succeed his Cornish Chieftain father and instead became a monk. Travelling variously throughout Gaul and the UK for much of his life, he finally settled in Holyhead. His many disciples became saints and founders of churches thereby spreading the Christian message. The Clas of St Cybi was established as an institution somewhere between a monastery and a college. Cybi died in 554 and was buried onsite and the church became an important site of pilgrimage.
The present church building dates from the 13th century and was significantly enhanced in the early 16th century and renovated again under the supervision of Sir Gilbert Scott in 1877-79. The prominent townscape presence provides the main green space within Holyhead. The combination of traditional materials, styles and textures combines to powerful effect and the church provides a haven within a historic and spiritual ambiance.
St Cybi’s symbolises Holyhead.