St Elli's Church, Llanelly
The Church of St Elli, Llanelly, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a parish church with its origins in the 14th century. The church underwent three major restorations, in 1867–1868, 1897 and 1910–1911. It remains an active parish church and is a Grade II* listed building. The church is dedicated to the 6th-century Saint Elli, who may have been a daughter or granddaughter of King Brychan, or a male disciple of Saint Cadoc.
History
The church dates from the 14th century, or earlier,[1] but little remains of this period.[2] The nave is medieval[1] but its walls were all rebuilt in the restorations of the 19th and 20th centuries.[2] The first of these rebuildings took place in 1867–1868, and was undertaken by the architect Joseph Nevill of Abergavenny.[1] The spire dates from the restoration of 1897 by Baldwin of Brecon.[2] The final rebuilding was undertaken by J. Vaughan Richards of Crickhowell in 1910–1911.[1]
Until local government reorganisation of 1974, the parish of Llanelly was in the historic county of Brecknockshire[2] and St Elli's remains an active church under the administration of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, although the parish is now in Monmouthshire.[3]
Architecture and description
The church is built of Old Red Sandstone rubble.[1] It comprises a nave with west tower, chancel, aisle and porch.[1] The architectural historian John Newman considered the "broad and squat" tower the most memorable feature.[2]
The interior contains some monuments of "unusually high quality" which are noted in the church's listing record for its Grade II* designation.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g Cadw. "St Elli's Church, Llanelly (Grade II*) (6665)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Newman 2000, p. 279.
- ^ "A Guide to St Elli's Church". The Church in Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
References
- Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.
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- Welsh Church Act 1914 (Welsh Church Commissioners • Border polls)
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- Welsh Church (Burial Grounds) Act 1945
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- Book of Common Prayer (1984)
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