Old Church of St Gwenllwyfo, Llanwenllwyfo

Old Church of St Gwenllwyfo, Llanwenllwyfo is a ruined medieval church near Dulas on the island of Anglesey in north Wales. Only low walls remain today, but the site keeps a quiet, atmospheric link to centuries of parish life in the north of the island.

What is the Old Church of St Gwenllwyfo?

It is a former parish chapel, now a ruin, standing in the countryside close to the village of Dulas. The building dates from the 15th century, though the exact age of the first church on the spot is unknown. An earlier church stood on the site, and the only part of it known to survive is a font from the 12th century.

Who was St Gwenllwyfo?

The church is dedicated to Gwenllwyfo, a female saint of the 7th century. Almost nothing else is known about her, which is common for early Welsh saints whose memory survives mainly in church dedications and place names. The name of the settlement, Llanwenllwyfo, preserves that dedication.

What was the church used for?

For much of its history it served as a chapel of ease for the church in Amlwch, about 5 miles (8 km) away. A chapel of ease was a smaller place of worship that spared parishioners a long journey to the main parish church. In rural Anglesey, where distances were significant and roads were poor, such chapels mattered to everyday religious life.

How did the building change over time?

The church was restored in 1610, and further work followed in the 18th and 19th centuries. Among its notable furnishings were an oak screen and a pulpit, both dating from 1610. The building was heavily altered in the 18th century, so by the time it fell out of use it was a layered structure rather than a purely medieval one.

Why is it a ruin?

By the middle of the 19th century the old church needed repair and had become too small for its congregation. A new church, St Gwenllwyfo's Church, was built nearby between 1854 and 1856, and some fittings and the bell were moved there. The old building was left behind. It was judged to be in poor condition by 1937, and its roof fell in during 1950. The surviving walls are now only around 5 feet (1.5 m) high.

What can visitors expect?

Do not expect a complete building with an interior to explore. This is a modest ruin, best suited to visitors who enjoy historic churches, Welsh saints' sites and quiet corners of Anglesey. It combines well with a trip along the island's northern coast, and with a look at the newer church built close by to replace it.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the church? Near Dulas, on the north-east side of Anglesey, Wales. Some records list it under the community of Llaneilian.

How old is it? It dates from the 15th century, with a 12th-century font surviving from an earlier church.

Is the roof still there? No. The roof collapsed in 1950 and the walls now stand to about 1.5 m.

Who is the church named after? Gwenllwyfo, a 7th-century female saint about whom little else is known.

Is there a newer church nearby? Yes. St Gwenllwyfo's Church was built nearby in 1854-1856 to replace the old one.