St Elli's Church, Llanelly Explained

Church of St Elli
Pushpin Map:Wales Monmouthshire
Pushpin Mapsize:200
Map Caption:Location in Monmouthshire
Location:Llanelly, Monmouthshire
Country:Wales
Coordinates:51.827°N -3.1155°W
Denomination:Church in Wales
Founded Date:early 14th century
Status:parish church
Functional Status:Active
Heritage Designation:Grade II*
Designated Date:19 July 1963
Architectural Type:Church
Parish:Llanelli
Deanery:Greater Brecon
Archdeaconry:Brecon
Diocese:Swansea and Brecon
Vicar:The Reverend C J Bevan

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, but little remains of this period. The nave is medieval but its walls were all rebuilt in the restorations of the 19th and 20th centuries. The first of these rebuildings took place in 1867–1868, and was undertaken by the architect Joseph Nevill of Abergavenny. The spire dates from the restoration of 1897 by Baldwin of Brecon. The final rebuilding was undertaken by J. Vaughan Richards of Crickhowell in 1910–1911.

Until local government reorganisation of 1974, the parish of Llanelly was in the historic county of Brecknockshire 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.[1]

Architecture and description

The church is built of Old Red Sandstone rubble. It comprises a nave with west tower, chancel, aisle and porch. The architectural historian John Newman considered the "broad and squat" tower the most memorable feature.

The interior contains some monuments of "unusually high quality" which are noted in the church's listing record for its Grade II* designation.

References

. John Newman (architectural historian). The Buildings of Wales. Gwent/Monmouthshire. 2000. Penguin. London. 0-14-071053-1.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A Guide to St Elli's Church. The Church in Wales . 19 April 2022.