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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox church {{Infobox church
|name = Church of Saint Mary and Sain Bodfan |name = St Mary's Church
|fullname = Church of Saint Mary and Saint Bodfan, Llanaber
|image = Stjohnbarmouthfrombeach.jpg
|caption = Photo of St John's Church taken from Barmouth Beach |image = St Mary and St Bodfan Church, Llanaber south side.JPG
|caption = View of the church from the beach
|dedication = ] amd ]

|denomination = ] |denomination = ]
|churchmanship = ] |churchmanship = ]
|website =
|parish = Parish of ] and ] with ] and ]

|deanery = ]
|pushpin map = Wales Gwynedd
|pushpin label position =
|pushpin map alt =
|pushpin mapsize =
|relief =
|map caption = Location in Gwynedd

|coordinates = {{coord|52.7416|-4.0763|display=title|region:GB_scale:2000}}
|osgridref = 259930, 318024
|location = ], ]
|country = ]

|former name =
|bull date =
|founded date =
|founder =
|dedication = ] and ]
|dedicated date =
|consecrated date =
|cult =
|relics =
|events =
|past bishop =
|people =

|status = Active
|functional status = ]
|heritage designation = Grade I
|designated date = 4 March 1951<ref> retrieved 8 June 2013</ref>
|architect =
|architectural type =
|style =
|groundbreaking =
|completed date =
|construction cost =

|parish = ]<ref name=parish> from ''Church in Wales'' retrieved 16 October 2015</ref>
|deanery = ]
|diocese = ] |diocese = ]
|rector = Reverend Kevin Horswell |rector = Rev. Anthony Hodges
|curate = Reverend Linda Baily
|coordinates ={{coord|52.7416|-4.0763|display=inline,title|region:GB_scale:2000}}
|website = http://www.churchinwalesbarmouth.org.uk
}} }}
The first Church on this site was probably built by Bodfan, a Celtic Saint of the sixth century. This Bodfan may have been the son of Helig ap Glannog whose territory was destroyed by the great inundation that formed the Lanvan Sands which lie between the Great Orme's Head and the Menai Straits off the North Wales coast. After the disaster both Helig and his sons embraced a religious life. The Church at Aber, in Gwynedd, is dedicated to St Bodfan and he may be the same Saint associated with Llanaber. One of Bodfan's brothers was Celynin, who likewise has a Church dedicated to him at Llangelynin in the Conway Valley and at Llangelynin near Llwyngwril, a few miles south of Llanaber. Other brothers were Brothen, who founded the Church at Llanfrothern and Boda and Gwynin who founded the Church at Dwygyfylchi near Penmaenmawr.


'''St Mary's Church''' or its full name '''St Mary and St Bodfan Church''' is a ] located in the village of ] in ]. St Mary and Bodfan is a Grade I listed building, which despite substantial restoration work in 1860, is a well-preserved 13th-century building with lancet windows and arch-braced collar beams (16th-century) to the chancel roof.<ref> from ''Britain Express'' retrieved 1 June 2013</ref>
Bodfan, no doubt, built his Church of wood and wattle but of that building no trace remains. With the coming of the Normans the art of building in stone was also introduced and, following their custom, many Welsh dedications were either changed to, or coupled with, the names of the Blessed Virgin Mary or the Apostles. Ancient maps refer to the Church as St Bodfan's and an association with the Saint is preserved in the name of the nearby Bodfan Farm, but the Church is today more popularly known as St Mary's.

Ancient maps refer to the church as ]'s and an association with the saint is preserved in the name of the nearby Bodfan Farm, but the church is more popularly known as St Mary's.<ref name=hist> {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130423211236/http://churchinwalesbarmouth.org.uk/index.php/en/history-of-st-mary |date=23 April 2013 }} from ''Church in Wales Barmouth'' retrieved 8 June 2013</ref>

==The current building==
The present church dates from the early thirteenth century. One of its great benefactors was Hywel ap Meredydd ap Cynan, the Lord of Ardudwy, the ] which has given its name to the Rural Deanery of Ardudwy in which the Parish of Llanaber is situated.<ref name=parish/> Hywel was a great grandson of ] and a near relative of ].<ref name=hist/><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703004737/http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/wales/gwynedd/ancient-sites/saint-mary%E2%80%99s-and-saint-bodfan%E2%80%99s-church-llanaber.html |date=3 July 2013 }} from ''Mysterious Britain'' retrieved 1 June 2013</ref>

]
The plan of the church consists of a ], with north and south aisles, and a long narrow ]. Entering the church by the south porch, rebuilt in the nineteenth century, is the south doorway, a still-standing example of Early English architecture. This doorway, built of yellow sandstone, is deeply recessed and is composed of six shafts on either side. The north door opposite is much narrower and of simple design.<ref name=hist/>

The nave is divided on either side into five arcades. They show the transition from Norman architecture to the Early English Style. The piers are Norman in character with foliated capitals from which spring pointed arches. The four ] windows on either side of the nave are examples of Early English lancets, whilst the two long lancets of the west wall are part of the nineteenth-century restoration.<ref name=hist/>

The chancel, which is separated from the nave by an Early English arch, is approached by a flight of steps, necessitated by the sloping nature of the site on which the church is built. The east window is an example of a single Early English lancet with very wide splays and shafts in the inner arch.<ref name=hist/>

The main roof timbers, both in the Nave and Chancel, date from the sixteenth century, whilst the ceiling above the sanctuary is panelled and its bosses and carvings picked out in gilt and colour.


The ] is octagonal in shape. The bowl is modern and it stands on a very much older shaft.


]
The present church dates from the early thirteenth century. One of its great benefactors was Hywel ap Meredydd ap Cynan, the Lord of Ardudwy, the commot which has given its name to the Rural Deanery of Ardudwy in which the Parish of Llanaber is situated. This Hywel was a near relative of Llewelyn the Great.


===The Calixtus Stones===
The plan of the church consists of a Nave, with North and South Aisles, and a long narrow Chancel. Entering the Church by the South Porch, rebuilt in the nineteenth century, the visitor notices the very fine South Doorway, reputed by many to be one of the finest examples of Early English architecture in the country, This doorway, built of yellow sandstone, is deeply recessed and is composed of six shafts on either side. The north door opposite is much narrower and of simple design.
In the north west corner of the church will be found two ancient stones. One is the Calixtus Stone, placed in the Church in the 19th century and having been previously used as a footbridge on a neighbouring farm. The inscription has been read as: CAELIXTUS MONEDO REGI, and is thought to mean Calixtus King of Mona.<ref name=hist/>


===Parish Registers===
The Nave is divided on either side into five arcades. Here we see a wonderful example of transition from Norman Architecture to the Early English Style. The piers are Norman in character with foliated capitals from which spring pointed arches. The four Clerestory windows on either side of the Nave are delightful examples of Early English Lancets, whilst the two long Lancets of the west wall are part of the nineteenth century restoration.
The parish registers date back to the year 1750. There are recorded relics in the church which comprise two wooden collection boxes with handles and dated 1756 and 1774 respectively, whilst near the south entrance may be seen an old church warden's chest, cut out of a single log of wood.<ref name=hist/>


==Extensions==
The Chancel, which is separated from the Nave by an Early Enligh arch, us approached by a flight of steps, necessitated by the sloping nature of the site on which the Church is built. The East Window is a perfect example of a single Early English Lancet with very wide splays and shafts in the inner arch.
In 1860, extensive work of restoration was carried out. The bell turret was rebuilt as well as most of the west wall with its heavy buttresses. The small vestry adjoining the north side of the chancel was also constructed at the same time on the site of a previous building.


The glass in the windows dates from the latter part of the nineteenth century and is on the whole good with the design in the clerestory windows depicting angels with musical instruments. Most of the monuments date from the nineteenth century.<ref name=hist/>
The main Roof Timbers, both in the Nave and Chancel, date from the sixteenth century, whilst the ceiling above the Sanctuary is panelled and its bosses and carvings picked out in gilt and colour.


In 1969, the church was again extensively restored. The timbers of the roofs were treated against woodworm and new timbers inserted where necessary. The seating of the church was also renewed with surplus pews from St John's Church, Barmouth. The Compton Two Manual and Pedal Organ, a memorial gift, was dedicated by the ] on 1 June 1969 (the eve of the feast of St Bodfan) at the time of the re-hallowing of the church after the restoration.<ref name=hist/>
In 1860 extensive work of Restoration was carried out. The Bell turret was rebuilt as well as most of the west wall with its heavy buttresses. The small vestry adjoining the North side of the Chancel was also constructed at the same time on the site of a previous building.


==Churchyard==
The glass in the windows dates from the latter part of the nineteenth century and is on the whole good with the design in the Clerestory windows depicting angels with musical instruments.
The churchyard contains twelve ]; from the ], six ] seamen (four of them unidentified), three ] seamen, a ] officer and a ] soldier, and from the ], a ] soldier.<ref> CWGC Cemetery report, details from casualty record.</ref>
Most of the monuments date from the nineteenth century.


==Gallery==
The Calixtus Stone. In the north west corner of the Church will be found two ancient stones. One is the Calixtus Stone, placed in the Church in the 19th century and having been previously used as a footbridge on a neighbouring Farm. The inscription has been read as:
<gallery>
File:St Mary and St Bodfan Church, Llanaber interior.JPG|Church interior
File:St Mary and St Bodfan Church, Llanaber chancel.JPG|Church chancel
</gallery>


==See also==
CAELIXTUS MONEDO REGI
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


==Sources==
and is supposed to mean Calixtus King of Mona.
{{CCBYSASource|sourcepath=http://churchinwalesbarmouth.org.uk/index.php/en/history-of-st-mary|sourcearticle=Benefice of Llanaber with Barmouth and Caerdeon with Bontddu|revision=435274768}}


==References==
The parish registers date back to the year 1750. Interesting relics in the Church comprise two wooden collection boxes with handles and dated 1756 and 1774 respectively, whilst near the south entrance may be seen an old Church warden's chest, cut out of a single log of wood.
<references/>


==External links==
The Font is octagonal in shape. The bowl is modern and it stands on a very much older shaft.
{{commons category|St. Mary and Bodfan in Llanaber, Barmouth}}
*


{{DEFAULTSORT:Llanaber, Mary Bodfan, Saint, Church}}
In 1969 the year of the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales, the Church was again extensively restored. The timbers of the roofs were treated against woodworm and new timbers inserted where necessary. The seating of the church was also renewed with surplus pews from St John's Church, Barmouth. The Compton Two Manual and Pedal Organ, a memorial gift, was dedicated by the Bishop of Bangor, in whose Diocese the Parish is, on Trinity Sunday, June 1st 1969 (the eve of the feast of St Bodfan) at the time of the re-hallowing of the Church after Restoration.
]
]

Latest revision as of 08:53, 16 September 2022

Church in Gwynedd, United Kingdom
St Mary's Church
Church of Saint Mary and Saint Bodfan, Llanaber
View of the church from the beach
St Mary's Church is located in GwyneddSt Mary's ChurchSt Mary's ChurchLocation in Gwynedd
52°44′30″N 4°04′35″W / 52.7416°N 4.0763°W / 52.7416; -4.0763
OS grid reference259930, 318024
LocationLlanaber, Gwynedd
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationChurch in Wales
ChurchmanshipHigh Church
History
StatusActive
DedicationSt Mary and St Bodfan
Architecture
Functional statusChurch building
Heritage designationGrade I
Designated4 March 1951
Administration
DioceseBangor
DeaneryMeirionydd Synod
ParishBro Ardudwy
Clergy
RectorRev. Anthony Hodges

St Mary's Church or its full name St Mary and St Bodfan Church is a church located in the village of Llanaber in Wales. St Mary and Bodfan is a Grade I listed building, which despite substantial restoration work in 1860, is a well-preserved 13th-century building with lancet windows and arch-braced collar beams (16th-century) to the chancel roof.

Ancient maps refer to the church as St Bodfan's and an association with the saint is preserved in the name of the nearby Bodfan Farm, but the church is more popularly known as St Mary's.

The current building

The present church dates from the early thirteenth century. One of its great benefactors was Hywel ap Meredydd ap Cynan, the Lord of Ardudwy, the commot which has given its name to the Rural Deanery of Ardudwy in which the Parish of Llanaber is situated. Hywel was a great grandson of Owain Gwynedd and a near relative of Llewelyn the Great.

south porch

The plan of the church consists of a nave, with north and south aisles, and a long narrow chancel. Entering the church by the south porch, rebuilt in the nineteenth century, is the south doorway, a still-standing example of Early English architecture. This doorway, built of yellow sandstone, is deeply recessed and is composed of six shafts on either side. The north door opposite is much narrower and of simple design.

The nave is divided on either side into five arcades. They show the transition from Norman architecture to the Early English Style. The piers are Norman in character with foliated capitals from which spring pointed arches. The four clerestory windows on either side of the nave are examples of Early English lancets, whilst the two long lancets of the west wall are part of the nineteenth-century restoration.

The chancel, which is separated from the nave by an Early English arch, is approached by a flight of steps, necessitated by the sloping nature of the site on which the church is built. The east window is an example of a single Early English lancet with very wide splays and shafts in the inner arch.

The main roof timbers, both in the Nave and Chancel, date from the sixteenth century, whilst the ceiling above the sanctuary is panelled and its bosses and carvings picked out in gilt and colour.

The font is octagonal in shape. The bowl is modern and it stands on a very much older shaft.

Calixtus Stones

The Calixtus Stones

In the north west corner of the church will be found two ancient stones. One is the Calixtus Stone, placed in the Church in the 19th century and having been previously used as a footbridge on a neighbouring farm. The inscription has been read as: CAELIXTUS MONEDO REGI, and is thought to mean Calixtus King of Mona.

Parish Registers

The parish registers date back to the year 1750. There are recorded relics in the church which comprise two wooden collection boxes with handles and dated 1756 and 1774 respectively, whilst near the south entrance may be seen an old church warden's chest, cut out of a single log of wood.

Extensions

In 1860, extensive work of restoration was carried out. The bell turret was rebuilt as well as most of the west wall with its heavy buttresses. The small vestry adjoining the north side of the chancel was also constructed at the same time on the site of a previous building.

The glass in the windows dates from the latter part of the nineteenth century and is on the whole good with the design in the clerestory windows depicting angels with musical instruments. Most of the monuments date from the nineteenth century.

In 1969, the church was again extensively restored. The timbers of the roofs were treated against woodworm and new timbers inserted where necessary. The seating of the church was also renewed with surplus pews from St John's Church, Barmouth. The Compton Two Manual and Pedal Organ, a memorial gift, was dedicated by the Bishop of Bangor on 1 June 1969 (the eve of the feast of St Bodfan) at the time of the re-hallowing of the church after the restoration.

Churchyard

The churchyard contains twelve Commonwealth war graves; from the First World War, six Royal Navy seamen (four of them unidentified), three Mercantile Marine seamen, a Royal Welsh Fusiliers officer and a Royal Engineers soldier, and from the Second, a Royal Artillery soldier.

Gallery

  • Church interior Church interior
  • Church chancel Church chancel

See also

Sources

As of this edit, this article uses content from "Benefice of Llanaber with Barmouth and Caerdeon with Bontddu", which is licensed in a way that permits reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, but not under the GFDL. All relevant terms must be followed.

References

  1. British Listed buildings retrieved 8 June 2013
  2. ^ from Church in Wales retrieved 16 October 2015
  3. Llanaber Church from Britain Express retrieved 1 June 2013
  4. ^ History of St Mary's Archived 23 April 2013 at archive.today from Church in Wales Barmouth retrieved 8 June 2013
  5. Llanaber Church Archived 3 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine from Mysterious Britain retrieved 1 June 2013
  6. CWGC Cemetery report, details from casualty record.

External links

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