St Elli's Church, Llanelly
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.
| Church of St Elli | |
|---|---|
 "monuments of unusually high quality" | |
  Church of St Elli Location in Monmouthshire | |
| 51.827°N 3.1155°W | |
| Location | Llanelly, Monmouthshire |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| History | |
| Status | parish church |
| Founded | early 14th century |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 19 July 1963 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Swansea and Brecon |
| Archdeaconry | Brecon |
| Deanery | Greater Brecon |
| Parish | Llanelli |
| Clergy | |
| Vicar(s) | The Reverend C J Bevan |
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
- Cadw. "St Elli's Church, Llanelly (Grade II*) (6665)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- Newman 2000, p. 279.
- "A Guide to St Elli's Church". The Church in Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
References
- Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.