Church of St Elli
"monuments of unusually high quality"
Church of St Elli is located in Monmouthshire
Church of St Elli
Church of St Elli
Location in Monmouthshire
51°49′37″N 3°06′56″W / 51.827°N 3.1155°W / 51.827; -3.1155
LocationLlanelly, Monmouthshire
CountryWales
DenominationChurch in Wales
History
Statusparish church
Foundedearly 14th century
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationGrade II*
Designated19 July 1963
Architectural typeChurch
Administration
DioceseSwansea and Brecon
ArchdeaconryBrecon
DeaneryGreater Brecon
ParishLlanelli
Clergy
Vicar(s)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,[1] but little remains of this period.[2] The nave is medieval[1] but its walls were all rebuilt in the restorations of the 19th and 20th centuries.[2] The first of these rebuildings took place in 1867–1868, and was undertaken by the architect Joseph Nevill of Abergavenny.[1] The spire dates from the restoration of 1897 by Baldwin of Brecon.[2] The final rebuilding was undertaken by J. Vaughan Richards of Crickhowell in 1910–1911.[1]

Until local government reorganisation of 1974, the parish of Llanelly was in the historic county of Brecknockshire[2] 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.[3]

Architecture and description

The church is built of Old Red Sandstone rubble.[1] It comprises a nave with west tower, chancel, aisle and porch.[1] The architectural historian John Newman considered the "broad and squat" tower the most memorable feature.[2]

The interior contains some monuments of "unusually high quality" which are noted in the church's listing record for its Grade II* designation.[1]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cadw. "St Elli's Church, Llanelly (Grade II*) (6665)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Newman 2000, p. 279.
  3. ↑ "A Guide to St Elli's Church". The Church in Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

References

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