Church Heritage Cymru

Church Heritage Cymru 5865

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St Cennydd, Llangennith

Name:

The name or dedication of the church.

St Cennydd, Llangennith
Record Type:

This identifies the church type. Most churches are parish churches which means they serve a specific parish or area. Other types such as chapel, daughter and mission are mostly historic designations as many are now also parish churches. Please note that former churches are no longer used for worhsip and may be in private ownership.

Parish Church
Church code:

A unique identification number given to every church.

5865
Diocese:

The name of the diocese in which the church is located.

Swansea and Brecon
Archdeaconry:

The name of the archdeaconry in which the church is located.

Gower
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Please enter a number

Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

There are 3 levels of listing: Grade I, II* & II. The majority of buildings which are of special interest are Grade II. A much smaller number of particularly important buildings are listed as Grade II*. Buildings of exceptional interest (approx 2% of the total number of listed buildings) are Grade I.

This is a Grade II* Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?

Ancient monuments and archaeological remains of national importance are protected by law. Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service is responsible for compiling a schedule (list) of these ancient monuments, some of which can be found in churches and churchyards. Examples can include churchyard crosses and the archaeological remains of previous churches or buildings on the site.

There is a Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

There are three National Parks in Wales: Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons. These protect 20 percent of the land in Wales, including precious landscapes, habitats, villages and heritage sites. 

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

There are over 500 conservation areas in Wales. They are designated by local planning authorities for their special architectural and historic interest.

The church is in a Conservation Area

Please enter a number

Buildings At Risk Status

On Buildings At Risk Register?

The Buildings at Risk register is managed by Cadw (the Welsh Government’s historic environment service) in order to identify the number and type of listed buildings at risk in Wales. 

This church is not on the Buildings at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

It is often extremely difficult to determine a precise date of construction for a church as many have been extensively altered over time. Church Heritage Cymru therefore shows a date range within which a church is believed to have been constructed. The dates are as follows: Early Medieval (pre 1066), Medieval (post 1066 to 1540), Post Medieval (1540 to 1837), Victorian/Pre WWI (1837 to 1914) and Modern (post 1914).

Medieval

Exterior Image

Work in progress - can you help?

Summary Description

This is a very brief summary of the church's main features. More  detailed nformation can be found in the other fields and pages (tabs) in this database.

Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton are all in one community council area containing the Burry Holmes inlet, Worms Head and an Iron Age Fort Reference The Encyclopaedia of Wales

Visiting and Facilities

Useful information is displayed here for people wishing to visit the church. This may include things like opening hours, catering & toilet facilities, parking, etc. 

The church is open for worship.
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

If the church has its own website the details will be displayed here.

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Sources and Further Information

Any further sources of information for the church will be listed here (eg. links to other historic databases).

View information on worship and access at this church on the Church In Wales web site
RCAHMW (2004) Coflein http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/301267/details/ [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/
GGAT (2016) Historic Environment Record http://www.cofiadurcahcymru.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?prn=GGAT00058w [Digital Archive/Data]
http://www.ggat.org.uk/her/her.html
Paul (2017) Llangennith churhc plan [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Llangennith churhc plan

This is the Ordnance Survey (OS) reference for the location of the church. Some locations will be approximate as this data is continuously being refined and updated.

Grid Reference: SS 428 914

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Church address

Address
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
St Cennydd The Green Llangennith SWANSEA SA3 1HY

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

This is the name of the Local Authoirity within which the church is located.

Abertawe - Swansea

Location and Setting

This describes how the church relates to its immediate and wider environment, sometimes called its setting. It describes how the church contributes to its landscape or townscape and how these things collectively contribute to the character of the area.

In the village of Llangennith which is about 24 km due west of Swansea and on the north west corner of the Gower peninsula.  The church forms a group of listed building on the south east of the village centre: stone churchyard wall; with a war memorial NE of churchyard formed as a white marble Celtic cross with interlacing on face. There is an early C20 timber-framed lychgate to north. To the south is the site of the ancient College of Llangennith.

Church Plan

Llangennith churhc plan
Caption:

The name/dedication of the church to which the plan refers.

Llangennith churhc plan
Description:

A brief description of the plan. eg. who created it and where it came from.

Year / Date:

The date the plan was created.

2017
Copyright:

The details of any copyright are displayed here.

David Smith
Originator:

The name of the person who inputted the plan.

Paul

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

This is a description of the ground plan of the church.

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Dimensions

If known, the dimensions (measurements) of the church ground plan will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

If the footrprint (area) of the church is known, it will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Description of Archaeology and History

A description of the history and archaeology of the church and its site.

A C12 church dedicated to St Cenydd, reputedly at his burial place. St Cenydd founded a cell on the nearby island of Burry Holmes. The circular form of the churchyard implies a church site of very early origins. An early church here is thought to have been destroyed by Danes in AD986. A monumental stone with Celtic interlace pattern found in the chancel is now displayed in an alcove on the southside of the chancel arch ( a medieval niche discovered in  2008)- it is carved from Pennant sandstone from the other sie of the Lougher estuary, probably dating from C9 it may have marked St Cenydd's tomb or his shrine...  Early in the C12 Llangennith church together with some land was granted by Henry de  Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick, to the Benedictine abbey of St Taurin, Evreux, France, as part of the process of establishing a cell of the abbey at Llangennith. This part of the village is known as 'Priorstown'. The abbey  probably also rebuilt the church. The church and the cell, since called a college, were distinct, there being both a Prior and an Incumbent. The college was suppressed in 1414. The church was later granted to All Souls College, Oxford, under whom it remained until bought by Major Penrice in 1838. His nephew donated it to the parish in 1883.  The north tower was added to the C12 church. The tower incorporates a round-headed archway facing east, the purpose of which is obscure, but it has original C13 pointed lancet windows and opens to the nave by a pointed doorway. The chancel east window is C14 Decorated. The chancel arch is pointed and has deep chamfers below the imposts, but may be a C19 rebuild of the original arch. The main restoration of the church was to the design of John B Fowler in 1881-4, the contractors being Messrs Rosser of Reynoldston. During this rebuilding the floor level was raised 1.2m (4 feet) thus partically obscuring the two south doorways of the nave.  The tower was repaired,  monuments were repositioned, new windows inserted and the roofs rebuilt.

The church forms part of a group: the church, the fomer college now largely a listed barn, the lychgate and across the road from the lychgate a Holy Well.

The well has a capstone which is early Christian - not later than C8  It now has two stone piers with a lintel, constructed about 1880 in response to an outbreak of typhoid.  Currently the water issues from two points.

The church is built from local reddish or grey axe-dressed or rubble old red sandstone conglomerates, millstone grits and carboniferous limestones (Dundry stone) and later examples of Bathstone used for windows.  The conglomerates are probably from the outcrop on Llanmadoc hill while the grit stones are probably from the drift deposit  with traces of old render or whitewash on north side of nave and chancel. Slate roof.  The tower has three storeys with a  slated saddleback roof.  The coping stones of the churchyard wall are of white Cornish Granite.

The church is reputed to be the burial place of Iestyn ap Gwrant the last Welsh ruler of Morgannwg, said to have become religious at Llangennith  after being deposed by the Norman, Robert Fitzhamon in 1090.

A short stroll to the south of the church is the ruined medieval village of Coety Green.

References

Cadw Listing Notices

Buildings of Wales - Glamorgan

Quinquennial Inspection Reports

Welsh Stone forum Number 4

Exterior Description

A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.

Nave, chancel north porch and lreg fortified square tower built in the Early English style and set into the hillside  Attached but separately owned are farm buildings listed grade II known as Parsons Barns.

Reference

Church Quinquennial Inspection Reports

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Information about any noteable architects, artists, people, or events associated with the church.

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Fabric and Features

Information about any important features and building fabric.

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Materials

If known, a list of the church's major building material/s will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Interior Image

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Interior Description

This section gives a general description of the interior of the church. Further details of any important internal fixtures and fittings will be listed below.

The porch has a pine roof with red and black quarry tiles on the floor, a doorway with single roll moulding and a semental rear arch houses an oak door which leads into the nave. It is a large nave with C19 pine roof in 8 bays featuring scissor bracing and collars.  The floor is of black and red quarry tiles.  The west bay of the nave is separated by an oak screen to form a vestry (constructed in 1924).  Two steps lead into the chancel arch with a five-bayed roof.  The paving is in red, cream and black encaustic tiles and made by Godwin of Luggwardine.

There is a pine altar with floral piercings seperated from the chancel by gateless altar rails of pine on braced standards.  In the nave are a pine pulpit and a pine lectern.  The Bathstone square font, is scalloped beneath standing on a hollow moulding at its foot, mediaeval stencilling has been recorded on it.

There are four bells, one cast by Thomas Purdue in 1675; one cast  by D & T Davies in 1722;  and two cast by William Evans in 1758.

Near the north door lies the recumbent effigy of a knight of the de la Mare family, known locally as the 'Dolly Mare'

Cadw Listing Notices

Buildings of Wales - Glamorgan

 

 



 

 

 

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

Information about the church's important internal fixtures and fittings. 

Work in progress - can you help?

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

Information about the church's important moveable items and artworks.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecology

A description of the ecology of the churchyard.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

Information about the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has no evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

Records whether the church has been consecrated.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.

It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.

It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there are any war graves in the churchyard.

The churchyard has war graves.

National Heritage Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Parish Church

Churchyard Structures

Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.

Skip Navigation Links.
Collapse Churchyard StructuresChurchyard Structures
LYCH GATE (1903)

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

High
Setting Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship of the church to its surrounding area and helps place it within its wider landscape context.

The largest church on Gower with a significant history particularly of the medieval church
Fabric Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the significance of the historic building fabric of the church.

Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Moderate
Interior Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the historic significance of the interior of the church.

Some interesting carvings
Community Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Low
Community Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship between the church and its community. 

Local parish church

Church Renewables

Any renewable energy systems the church is using will be listed here.

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Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Parish Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

"Seek Advice" Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Parish Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Parish Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Parish Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Parish Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Parish Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionSun 07 Apr 2024 09:13:07
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Asset AddressSun 07 Apr 2024 09:06:17
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionMon 10 Jul 2023 11:11:29
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionMon 10 Jul 2023 11:10:45
Paul BakerAdded a plan of the buildingThu 01 Jun 2017 15:20:58
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionThu 30 Mar 2017 14:43:02
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionThu 30 Mar 2017 14:42:15
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Evidence for the Presence of BatsThu 30 Mar 2017 14:32:50
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionThu 30 Mar 2017 14:27:25
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionThu 30 Mar 2017 14:24:32
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