Church of St Elli | |
---|---|
"monuments of unusually high quality" | |
51°49′37″N 3°06′56″W / 51.827°N 3.1155°W | |
Location | Llanelly, Monmouthshire |
Country | Wales |
Denomination | Church in Wales |
History | |
Status | parish church |
Founded | early 14th century |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | Grade II* |
Designated | 19 July 1963 |
Architectural type | Church |
Administration | |
Diocese | Swansea and Brecon |
Archdeaconry | Brecon |
Deanery | Greater Brecon |
Parish | Llanelli |
Clergy | |
Vicar(s) | The Reverend C J Bevan |
The Church of St Elli, Llanelly, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a parish church with its origins in the 14th century. The church underwent three major restorations, in 1867–1868, 1897 and 1910–1911. It remains an active parish church and is a Grade II* listed building. The church is dedicated to the 6th-century Saint Elli, who may have been a daughter or granddaughter of King Brychan, or a male disciple of Saint Cadoc.
History
[edit]The church dates from the 14th century, or earlier,[1] but little remains of this period.[2] The nave is medieval[1] but its walls were all rebuilt in the restorations of the 19th and 20th centuries.[2] The first of these rebuildings took place in 1867–1868, and was undertaken by the architect Joseph Nevill of Abergavenny.[1] The spire dates from the restoration of 1897 by Baldwin of Brecon.[2] The final rebuilding was undertaken by J. Vaughan Richards of Crickhowell in 1910–1911.[1]
Until local government reorganisation of 1974, the parish of Llanelly was in the historic county of Brecknockshire[2] and St Elli's remains an active church under the administration of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, although the parish is now in Monmouthshire.[3]
Architecture and description
[edit]The church is built of Old Red Sandstone rubble.[1] It comprises a nave with west tower, chancel, aisle and porch.[1] The architectural historian John Newman considered the "broad and squat" tower the most memorable feature.[2]
The interior contains some monuments of "unusually high quality" which are noted in the church's listing record for its Grade II* designation.[1]
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Cadw. "St Elli's Church, Llanelly (Grade II*) (6665)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Newman 2000, p. 279.
- ^ "A Guide to St Elli's Church". The Church in Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
References
[edit]- Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.