St Cynhaearn's Church, Ynyscynhaearn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Cynhaearn's Church
St Cynhaearn's Church, Ynyscynhaearn, from the west
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OS grid reference	SH 525 387
Location	Near Pentrefelin, Gwynedd
Country	Wales
Denomination	Church in Wales
Website	Friends of Friendless Churches
History
Dedication	Saint Cynhaearn
Architecture
Functional status	Redundant
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	19 October 1971
Architectural type	Church
Groundbreaking	12th century
Completed	1622
Specifications
Materials	Stone with slate roofs

St Cynhaearn's Church is an old church in a quiet spot in Wales. It stands on what used to be an island called Ynyscynhaearna, in Lake Ystumllyn. This is about 900 meters (around half a mile) south of Pentrefelin village, near Criccieth in Gwynedd.

The church is very important. It is protected by Cadw as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a special historic place. You can reach the church from the village by walking along an old path called a causeway. Today, the church is looked after by a group called the Friends of Friendless Churches.

History of the Church

This church is named after Cynhaiarn, a saint from the 5th century. It was once the main church for the area, including Porthmadog.

Building Through the Years

The oldest part of the church, the main hall called the nave, was built way back in the 12th century. Later, in the 16th century, a side wing called the north transept was added. The south transept was built in 1622.

Most of the church's inside decorations and furniture are from 1832. They are in a style called Georgian. In 2003, the church became cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches. Since then, they have done a lot of repair work to keep it safe.

Church Design and Features

St Cynhaearn's Church is built from stone. The walls of the nave and the east side of the chancel (the area around the altar) are covered in a smooth plaster called stucco. The roofs are made of modern slate tiles.

How the Church is Built

The church has a simple layout. It has a short nave, a north transept, a south transept, and a short chancel. At the west end, there's a small tower for a bell, called a bellcote. You enter the church through a door on the west side.

The windows in the nave and transepts have two sections. At the east end, there are three tall, narrow windows called lancet windows. Inside, the walls are plastered above a wooden paneling called a dado. The main floor is made of stone slabs. The floor in the sanctuary (the area around the altar) is painted. There is also a balcony, or gallery, at the west end.

Inside the Church: Furniture and Art

Many of the church's features are from 1832. The pulpit is very tall, with three levels, and you climb nine steps to reach it. Below the pulpit is a lectern where readings are given.

On each side of the altar, there are special box pews. The gallery is held up by thin columns. The church also has an organ built in 1834 by Flight and Robson. It was a gift from a Mrs. Walker and cost £30 at the time. The organ has a Gothic style.

Next to the organ, there are six rows of steeply sloped pews. Many of these pews have the names of the families who used to sit there. One pew even has curtains, which was for mothers to feed their babies. The font, used for baptisms, was put in place in 1900. It stands on an eight-sided pillar made of limestone.

The church also has beautiful stained glass windows. Some of these were made by a company called James Powell and Sons in 1899 and 1906.

Important Memorials

The church has several memorials that tell stories of local people.

David Owen, the Harpist

One old grave marks the resting place of David Owen (1712–1741). He was a blind harpist and composer from the area. People knew him as "Dafydd y Garreg Wen" (David of the White Rock) because he came from Garreg Wen Farm. It is said that he wrote a famous tune called Dafydd y Garreg Wen on his deathbed, after asking for his harp.

John Ystumllyn, Known as Jack Black

Among the memorials is one for John Ystumllyn (died 1786), also called Jack Black. He was a black man brought from Africa by a member of the Wynne family. They lived at Ystumllyn, a place you can see from the church. At that time, it was popular for wealthy families to have a black servant. John was later given his own house. He had seven children and passed away in the late 1700s. Many local people today say they are related to him.

James Spooner, Railway Builder

There is also a memorial to James Spooner (1790–1856). He was a surveyor who helped build the famous Ffestiniog Railway. His memorial is a stone urn surrounded by iron railings. You can find it next to the church's boundary wall, on the right as you face the church from the gate.

The churchyard also has graves for many other local people, including bakers and confectioners.