St Garmon's Church, Llanfechain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Garmon's Church |
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| OS grid reference | SJ 188,204 |
| Location | Llanfechain, Powys |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | St Garmon's Church, Llanfechain |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | St Garmon |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Architect(s) | R. K. Penson, Douglas and Fordham |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman |
| Groundbreaking | 12th century |
| Completed | 1883 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Shale with sandstone dressings, red tile roof |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Llanfyllin |
| Archdeaconry | Montgomery |
| Diocese | St Asaph |
| Province | Church in Wales |
St Garmon's Church is located in the village of Llanfechain, Powys, Wales. It is an active Anglican church. This church is a very important building, listed as Grade II* by Cadw, a Welsh heritage organization.
People believe the church is linked to a 9th-century saint named St Garmon. He was likely St Germanus, an early bishop. Another church in St Harmon, Powys, shares the same name.
Contents
Exploring the Church's Past
The first time this church was written about was in 1254. Parts of the building are from around that time. The roof was built in the 1400s. A porch was added to the south side in the 1600s.
Some work was done on the church in 1852. A bigger renovation happened in 1859. This work was led by R. K. Penson. During this time, a new vestry (a room for clergy) was built. Windows were changed, and a spire was added to the bell tower.
Another big restoration took place in 1883. The architects Douglas and Fordham from Chester did this work. They removed plaster from the walls and took down the ceiling. This showed the old roof structure. The old pews were replaced with benches. The church also got a new red tile roof. In 1920, the church bells were re-hung.
Discovering the Church's Design
Outside the Church
The church is built from shale stone with sandstone details. It has a red tile roof. The building has a nave (main part) and a chancel (area around the altar) in one long room. There's a vestry on the north side and a porch on the south.
Near the west end, there is a bell tower with a spire. Metal crosses are on the chancel end and above the porch. The bell tower has a slated broach spire (a pyramid-shaped roof). A weathercock sits on top of the spire. There's also a clock on the south side of the spire.
The east wall has three small windows instead of one large one. The main door and a smaller priest's door on the south wall are in the Norman style. Other windows were added in the 1800s. The window on the west wall is a "wheel window." It has six sections and a round center, all made of sandstone. The porch walls are made of wood frames on stone bases.
Inside the Church
At the west end of the church, there is a gallery. Two steps lead up from the nave to the chancel. The chancel has a barrel ceiling, which looks like the inside of a barrel. At the east end, there's an oak reredos (a screen behind the altar) from 1890.
The font (used for baptisms) is likely from the Tudor period. It was damaged during the English Civil War. The pulpit (where sermons are given) is dated 1636. The communion table has Jacobean carvings. The church has a set of three bells. These bells were hung in the 1730s.
Exploring Outside the Church
The churchyard is round. It has a sundial from the 1700s, which is also a Grade II listed item. To the north of the church is a raised mound of earth called Twmpath Garmon. People believe this is where St Garmon used to preach. The lych gate (a covered gate at the entrance to the churchyard) is also listed as Grade II.
Southeast of the village is a holy well called Ffynnon Garmon. This well is also connected to St Garmon.
The Church Today
St Garmon's Church holds services every Sunday. They also have services during the week when needed. Groups like the Pathfinders meet weekly. The Mothers' Union meets once a month.
See also
