Church of St Michael and All Angels, Llanvihangel-Ystern-Llewern

51°49′17″N 2°49′27″W / 51.8213°N 2.8243°W / 51.8213; -2.8243LocationLlanvihangel-Ystern-Llewern, MonmouthshireCountryWalesDenominationChurch in WalesHistoryStatusparish churchFoundedC15th centuryArchitectureFunctional statusActiveHeritage designationGrade II*Designated19 November 1953Architectural typeChurchAdministrationDioceseMonmouthArchdeaconryMonmouthDeaneryMonmouthParishLlanfihangel-ystern-LlewernClergyVicar(s)The Reverend G J R Williams

The Church of St Michael and All Angels, Llanvihangel-Ystern-Llewern, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a parish church with its origins in the 15th century. Renovations took place in the 19th century under the direction of Thomas Henry Wyatt. It is a Grade II* listed building and an active parish church.

History

The church dates from the medieval period but the building fabric cannot be dated with certainty.^[1] The nave roof and the windows are late 15th century.^[1] An extensive restoration was carried out by T. H. Wyatt in 1874, the belfry, with its timber base, dating from this restoration.^[1] Refurbishment of the interior in the early 20th century saw the addition of a stained glass window depicting Saint George and the Dragon by Charles Eamer Kempe, which dates from 1906 to 1907.^[1] A tablet in the church commemorates the Monmouthshire historian and antiquarian Sir Joseph Bradney,^[2] who lived nearby at Tal-y-coed Court and wrote a 12-volume history of the county, A History of Monmouthshire from the Coming of the Normans into Wales down to the Present Time.^[3] St Michael's remains an active parish church.^[4]

Architecture and description

The church is built of "all-too friable" Old Red Sandstone rubble.^[2] The nave, chancel and belfry are all by Wyatt, the porch being slightly later, of 1895.^[2] The nave has an original medieval wagon vault roof.^[2] The church is a Grade II* listed building, its listing noting its "fine 15th century wagon roof and unusual 19th century timber-framed belfry".^[1]

Notes

References

• Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.