St Celynin
Llangelynnin, Gwynedd
A fascinating church in a glorious setting.
On entering the church collect a free leaflet from the table.
Although the foundations of all areas of the church are 11/12th century, only the nave and side aisles are almost unaltered since then. The simple, sturdy round pillars splay outwards at the top with the square section arches springing from them. Looking up past the rough plastered white walls, the clerestory windows are unchanged over the centuries. Some of the roof timbers have been identified as 13th or 14th century and second hand when put up. The side aisles also are original although the rectangular windows and roofing are of a later date.
Opposite the porch stand the 9th century Cadfan Stone (oldest known Welsh writing) and the 8/9th century Irish style Mass Sundial (one of only two in Wales). Stand under the crossing looking west and, except for the west windows, you are looking into the 11/12th century.
The church originally had a central tower which fell in 1692, destroying the south transept and badly damaging the south wall of the chancel. These were patched up but the central tower was not replaced. The nave was originally one arch longer than at present and in 1735/7 a west tower was built within that area.
In 1882-4 the west tower was demolished and the present west wall erected while the south and east walls of the chancel were rebuilt. First pointed arches to nave and north transept were demolished and four stronger pillars now support the central tower, almost certainly taller than the original one. The 14th century window in the north transept was demolished, the current windows put in both transepts and that end of the church finished to match.
In the north wall of the chancel, two 14th century effigies remained in place; the Crying Knight, Gruffydd ap Adda of Dolgoch and Ynysymaengwyn, and the Unknown Priest.
The magnificent organ, still in regular use, was built in 189i7 then enlarged and installed in the south transept in 1911. The 21st century Glass Room, in the north transept, is a place for meetings, hospitality, refreshments and events.