St Rhwydrys, Llanrhwydrys
St Rhwydrys, Llanrhwydrys
St Rhwydrys stands in an isolated circular llan near Cemlyn on the north coast of Anglesey. It is a Grade II* early medieval church in the Bro Padrig Ministry Area of the Diocese of Bangor.
- Location
- Llanrhwydrys, Anglesey
- Country
- Wales
- County
- Anglesey
- City / town
- Llanrhwydrys
- Address
- Llanrhwydrys, Anglesey, LL67 0DY
- Postcode
- LL67 0DY
- Built
- 12th-century nave; 13th-century chancel; east wall 15th century; west gallery 1776
- Denomination
- Church in Wales
- Dedication
- Rhwydrys
- Diocese
- Bangor
- Parish
- Bro Padrig
- Grade
- II*
- Style
- Romanesque and medieval
- Materials
- Rubble with freestone dressings; slate roof
- Grid reference
- SH 322 932
- Opening hours
- Always open. Please ensure the door is firmly closed to keep out straying cattle or sheep! Nearest parking at National Trust Bryn Aber (grid ref SH329936).
Overview
The church is first mentioned in the Norwich Taxation of 1254. Cadw dates the nave, including a round-arched south doorway, to the twelfth century and the long chancel to the thirteenth; the east wall and part of the north wall were rebuilt in the fifteenth century. A west gallery is inscribed M. I. H. RECDOR T P H S 1776, for the Reverend John Hughes, rector of Llanrhuddlad with Llanrhwydrus from 1755 to 1778. The building is unusual for its cruck roof and retains simple fittings including the rare eighteenth-century gallery.
Bro Padrig records a tradition that Rhwydrys, son of King Rodrem of Connaught, founded a church here around 570. The church is never locked and is one of three small betysai (houses of prayer) in the ministry area. Cadw lists it II* as an early medieval church in a characteristically isolated location. The lych-gate is listed separately.