Cymer Abbey
Dolgellau, Gwynedd
Cymmer Abbey was founded in 1198 by monks from Cwm-hir under the patronage of the local ruler Maredud ap Cynan and his powerful cousin Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, Llywelyn the Great, prince of north Wales.
A church founded by St Tydecho in the 6th century after his arrival in the area from Cornwall.
The present building dates from the 14th century and is of unusual construction, long and low in form. It has whale bones at the entrance porch. Dr John Davies was the rector of Mallwyd for 30 years at the beginning of the 17th century and he modernised the church; there is a memorial to him in the church erected on the 200th anniversary of his death. The historical novel Sgythia by the former vicar Gwynn ap Gwilym tells his exciting pre-Civil War history in rebuilding the church, rectory and three bridges as well as working together on reforming the Welsh Bible which has been vital to the future of the Welsh language to this day.
2020 marks 400 years since the publication of the new revised Bible.