Churches on the Island of Anglesey in North Wales.
Anglesey Churches.
I am in the process of writing a brand new website with places
of worship from throughout the whole of the UK, indeed the
rest of the world.
Naturally, as I live here, I have started with the places of
worship on Anglesey. These are very high resolution photographs
of churches,
chapels,
synagogues,
mosques
and what have you - Click Here.
The flag of St David flies alongside the flag of Wales above.
There are 74 parishes on the island of Anglesey. The churches
herein are as different as they are beautiful. Some because of
their simplicity, others because of their relative grandeur.
Most are of Norman design, as witnessed by their square towers,
whilst just four of Anglesey's churches have spires, and five
a clock tower. It is probably true to say that most of our churches
would have been built on the same ground as earlier Celtic holy
missions dating from roughly the 6th century.
During the 1840`s, many of the churches were rebuilt on the
same site, using where possible the original materials, or where
deemed necessary a brand new church was built nearby. Finding
the ruins of the original church can be a fascinating and even
mystical task. A prime example of this is the church at Llanfihangel
Ysceifiog (Pentre Berw). For those non welsh speakers, Llanfihangel
= The church and religious enclosure of St Michaels. Llan is
a little different - I believe - from the welsh for church, which
is eglwys.
The
word
Llan is
not only
the church, but includes the religious enclosure in which it
is stood.
It is a mystery to some that many Anglesey churches seem to
be situated in the middle of nowhere. For example, several seem
isolated, or for example in the middle of a lonely field. The
reason is that in mediaeval times the landscape would have been
quite different, but suffice to say the church would invariably
have been at the centre of the settlements of the time. Sadly,
too many churches are now disused, and in a state of disrepair.
There is one organisation that is trying to do something about
at least some of them. Friends of Friendless churches is their
name. Click here to read more about them.
The church of Llanfihangel Ysceifiog below illustrates the change
in the 1840`s from the old church to a new church in a slightly
relocated
location.
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The 'New' Church at Llanfihangel Ysceifiog (Pentre Berw).

The original Llanfihangel Ysceifiog (Pentre Berw) Church.
The original church of Llanfihangel Ysceifiog
- hidden from the view of anyone passing even closely by -
is at least as fascinating as the new church, but by the time
that
the new church was built, the village had spread out somewhat,
and the new location was nearer to the centre of the population
at that time.
I was made very welcome in the new church one Sunday in May
2008, by the Rector, members of the congregation, and the church
wardens. I was graciously shown around, and photographed various
items of interest
from the original church. I was told that with the aid
of CADW there may be some restoration work undertaken to the
old church, in fact it was already intended to hold a service
at the old church in the not too distant future.
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Llanfihangel Ysceifiog (New) Church. Bell Tower
|
%20Church%20Bell%20(full)250508%201280%20pix.jpg)
Llanfihangel Ysceifiog (Old) Church Bell
|
%20Church%20Seat%20(dated%201684)%20250508%201280pix.jpg)
Llanfihangel Ysceifiog (Old) Church Seat (dated 1684)
- there are two from the old church in the new church
|
One could live on Anglesey without ever knowing of the existence
of these abandoned churches. Family historians might have some
problem finding graves if they for example were only looking
for graves of their families at the new churches!! The list below
is pretty complete, in fact it is probably the most complete
pictorial record of Anglesey churches to be found anywhere. I
do hope you enjoy them, they represent almost two years of my
time in finding and photographing them, time that I have thoroughly
enjoyed. Click on the thumbnails to see high resolution full
size photo.

The amazing memorial at Tregaian Church, Anglesey
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Anglewsey, Aberffraw Church
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St Cwyfans in the Sea
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Amlwch, St Elaeths Church
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Beaumaris, St Mary's Church
|

Bodedern Church
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Bodewryd Church
|

Heneglwys (St Llwydian's) Church - originally dedicated
to st Corbre
|
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Anglesey, Bodwrog Church
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Anglesey, Bryngwran Church
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Caergeiliog Church
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Ceidio Church
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|  Llanbadrig Church - St Padrig's |

Cemaes Bay - St Padrig's |

Anglesey, Bryngwran, Ceirchiog Churchyard - sadly just
a ruin
|

Cerrigceinwen Church
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Coedana Church
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Talyllyn Church
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Gwalchmai (Morhaiarn) Church
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Holyhead, St Cybi's Church
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St Seiriols Demolition February 1992
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Llanallgo Church
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Llanbabo Church
|
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If it is easier for you here are the Anglesey Churches listed
in alphabetical order:-
Anglesey Churches Page II
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