CeredigionEGLWYSFACHStMichael(madelinegreyPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)1 MadelineGrey

St Michael

Village church with famous literary associations.

Eglwysfach, Ceredigion

Opening times

Covid19 : Monday and Wednesday 2pm to 4pm and services on the second and fourth Sunday of the month at 9.30am.

[Normally open : Open every day from 10.30am to 5pm during the Summer.]

Address

St Michael
Eglwysfach
Ceredigion
SY20 8SX

The church at Eglwysfach dates mainly from 1833. The lychgate is believed to belong to the earlier 1623 church though substantially rebuilt and enlarged, also in 1833. The original church is associated with a warlike legend that tells of the Northumbrian 6th century king, Edwin on a raiding expedition to this part of Britain. After his success in battle near to what is now Llandre he is reputed to be have founded a chapel at Eglwysfach.

RS Thomas, the internationally celebrated Welsh poet, was vicar at Eglwysfach between 1955 and 1967. An austere man, RS Thomas, with help from his artist wife, Mildred Elsi Eldridge, decided that the interior of his church should look dramatic. They took plaques off the walls, got rid of brass and had all the early 19th century pews and woodwork painted matt black. The interior retains this striking decoration.

Another writer who had a brief connection with the church was the satirical English novelist Thomas Love Peacock (1785-1866) who married Jane Gruffydd of Gryffydh, Maentwrog, in the church in 1820.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Famous connections

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • National heritage here

  • Wildlife haven

  • Dog friendly

  • Level access to the main areas

  • On street parking at church

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Church in Wales

  • Repair Grant, £2,500, 2008

  • Our Repair Grants funded urgent repair work to help keep churches open.

  • Gateway Grant, £3,000, 2022

  • Our Gateway Grants fund churches developing building projects and also urgent maintenance and repair projects to help keep churches open.

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Peter

Machynlleth, Powys

The present site was established as a place of worship in the Middle Ages, and a medieval church is mentioned in records going back as far as 1253 and 1291.

St Peter

Elerch, Ceredigion

A church designed by Butterfield at the heart of the old lead mining industry.

St Michael

Llandre, Ceredigion

St Michael's, Llanfihangel-Genau Glyn in Welsh, is set in a picturesque location, overlooked by a dramatic wooded slope and surrounded by the riches of nature.