St Hywyn, Aberdaron

St Hywyn’s is a Grade I Church in Wales parish church in Aberdaron, Gwynedd, with its graveyard running to the cliff edge. Cadw calls it one of the major churches of the Llŷn.

Overview

Cadw records a Celtic clas church founded by St Hywyn between the fifth and seventh centuries, probably rebuilt by Gruffudd ap Cynan in the early twelfth century and first recorded in 1115. It remained a clas church served by secular canons in 1252; collegiate status disappeared around 1500, and at the Reformation the church was subordinate to Bardsey Abbey. The nave may be twelfth-century, lengthened in the fourteenth century and raised to match a new south aisle of the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. After decline a new church was built inland in 1841; the old church survived because part of the south aisle had been a school from 1835. Restoration to plans by Henry Kennedy, proposed by 1848, was completed only in 1868; John Williams of Bangor restored it again in 1906.

The fabric is rubble stone with slate roofs, coped gables and a west bellcote. Two equal aisles stand side by side. The west doorway has three chamfered orders and a hoodmould; Cadw notes that a twelfth-century origin is claimed but the chamfered detail suggests fifteenth-century alteration. The south aisle of c.1500 has a large five-light Perpendicular east window and four-centred south windows. Inside is a fine arcade of c.1500: five four-centred arches on octagonal piers. The south aisle retains much original hammerbeam timber. A plain octagonal font of c.1500 and two early inscribed stones from Anelog (Veracius and Senacus) stand in the church.

Further Information

• Cadw listed building 4225
• Bro Enlli: St Hywyn’s
• Wikipedia: St Hywyn's Church, Aberdaron