Just this one photo shows what a special place this is. That barrel vaulted ceiling (late 15C) and the fabulous rood screen and loft. As you can see, the walls are liberally adorned with panels of texts and earlier paintings such as a Royal coat of arms and a Doom Figure. This is a Grade I listed church and you can easily see why.
The font - well, what can I say. This is a survivor from the much earlier church dedicated by Herewald prior to the Norman invasion. It dates from c. 1055. "The rim is carved with two rolls terminating in leaves, and inside this the inscription MENHIR ME FECIT I (N) TE (M) PORE GENILLIN in Hiberno-Saxon miniscules. Cynhillin was Lord of Ystrad Yw." (Pevsner: Powys). Ystrad Yw is a parish a couple of miles out of Crickhowell. It is perhaps the oldest font in Wales. (National Churches Trust).
The parish chest doesn't merit a mention with Pevsner but Tam and I thought it probably 13th/early 14th C. It was hewn from a complete oak tree and now contains cleaning things rather than anything liturgical!
The faded remains of the Royal coat of Arms.17 is so young to die.
A pretty flower arrangement at the bottom of the rood screen shows the church is still much-loved and cared for.
An amazing survivor. Mind you, this is 4 1/2 miles out of Crickhowell and so perhaps Cromwell's lot weren't even aware of its existence. It dates to c.1500. There are some similarities to the beautiful rood screen at St Margaret's but this is crisper and more detailed and has the lovely tracery too. "The parapet itself is of muntin with panels of Late Perp tracery patterning which strengthens the screen's shimmery character." (Pevsner).
Details. No faces as you have at St Margaret's, but dragon snouts instead, covering the joins with the beams!! The carvers had such fun making these.Beautiful crisp vines and "water leaf" but muggins here missed the dragons at the ends which Pevsner writes about (there's always something you miss). I must return to find them. . . and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere again. Apparently I also missed the apostle figures too . . .
There are apparently 14 memorials dating from between 1757 and 1804,and many with strongly coloured and gilded floral borders, all the work of the Brute family and their followers.
Looking towards the Altar.
Memorial windows dedicated to Caroline and John Powell, of the parish.
The colours in this little side window were magical.
The steep hill we climbed up, having parked where 3 other cars were parked. I wasn't sure if there would be a parking space by the church and places to turn were few and far between. Apparently the Holy Well is just where we parked - one responsible for at least two miracles: a leper was cured by its waters back in the 11th C and left a bag of gold in grateful thanks - which was used to build the church. In more recent times a woman had had an operation on her foot and was still in great pain, until visiting the well (and presumably bathing her foot in it), whereupon the pain receded . . .
At the churchyard cross, it is written that Giraldus Cambrensis accompanied Archbishop Baldwin, who preached here in 1188. Their tour of Wales was to raise awareness of the Crusade Campaign and presumably gather men to fight in its cause.
This is perhaps my favourite church of all those that I have visited in our part of the world. It is certainly very special and worth journeying to.
