St Mary's Church, Betws Gwerful Goch Explained

St Mary's Church,
Betws Gwerful Goch
Location:Betws Gwerful Goch, Denbighshire
Coordinates:53.0079°N -3.4436°W
Osgraw:SJ 032 465
Founded Date:12th century
Dedication:St Mary
Heritage Designation:Grade II*
Designated Date:20 October 1966
Architect:John Douglas (restoration)
Architectural Type:Church
Materials:Shale with slate roofs and stone ridge tiles
Deanery:Penllyn & Edeyrnion
Archdeaconry:Wrexham
Diocese:St Asaph
Province:Church in Wales
Vicar:Revd S. J. Roberts

St Mary's Church, Betws Gwerful Goch, is in the village of Betws Gwerful Goch, Denbighshire, Wales. It is an active Anglican church in the deanery of Penllyn & Edeyrnion, the archdeaconry of Wrexham and the diocese of St Asaph. The church is designated by Cadw as a Grade II* listed building.

History

The building dates probably from the 12th century although there may have been an earlier church on the site dedicated to Saint Elain. It was restored by the Chester architect John Douglas in 1881–82. In the process of this restoration, the north door was removed, a vestry with a chimney was added, and the box pews were taken out. The plaster was removed from the walls, windows were replaced, a buttress was added to the south side, a new screen was erected. A new bellcote with a spire, and the lychgate were added. In 1985 the bellcote had to be removed.

Architecture

The church is built in shale. The roofs are covered in slates, with stone ridge tiles. Its plan consists of a nave and a chancel, with a south porch and a vestry to the north of the chancel. At the east end is a stone cross finial. The east window is part of Douglas' restoration; it consists of three lights with ogee heads.

See also