St Dogmael's church, Meline (near Crymych), Pembrokeshire, SA41 3UT. Open daily

Details

Accessibility

Level path from the road.

Brief description

"Meline’s Church, dedicated to the obscure Saint Dogmael or Dogfael, is an exercise in High Victorian geometry with minimal extraneous detail. The church was built by Robert Jewell Withers in 1864 and commissioned by the Gothic romanticist, Sir Thomas Davies Lloyd of Bronwydd in Ceredigion.

There is only one stained glass window: the lancet behind the altar, a Crucifixion with SS Mary and John, in vivid colours, by Lavers & Barraud of 1865. Other furnishings include pine pews with shaped ends, a pulpit with vessica-shaped panels, stalls, communion rails, lectern and a communion table. In the sanctuary, the reredos is of painted ashlar, with inset best quality five-colour tiled panels. The octagonal ashlar font is also by Withers. The vestry, to the north of the chancel, contains a diagonally set fireplace and aumbry.

Unusually, the church is devoid of memorials. However, the walls display other interesting artefacts from the church’s remodel, including a plan of the new church, and a standard ICBS board recording a grant of £75, on condition that the 77 seats at the least were free. You may also spot a SPCK Welsh Bible (1858), Book of Common Prayer, and an Illustrated Welsh Bible, with commentary by Owen Jones.

Highlights:

Light-filled delicately carved ‘rose’ window in the west wall

Medieval carved faces in the head-stops, and blocked north door

Intact High Victorian interior

ICBS plans and grant board

Welsh language Victorian bibles and prayer book"

Address

St Dogmael's church, Meline (near Crymych), Pembrokeshire, SA41 3UT

Email

office@friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk

Phone

(0)204 520 4458 Business hours Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm at Friends of Friendless Churches, 70 Cowcross St, London, EC1M 6EJ ("The Friends of Friendless Churches was established by a group of friends in 1957 to save redundant but beautiful places of worship from demolition, decay and unsympathetic conversion.")

Website

https://friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/church/st-dogmaels-meline-pembrokeshire/

Directions

"Off A487, Meline, Velindre, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, SA41 3PX" OS grid reference SN117387; what3words stick.ankle.regress"

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Open daily

Transport

For further travel information in Wales please see: www.traveline.cymru/travel-info

Or call Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000

Amenities

Close by at Castell Henllys Iron Age Village, Meline, Crymych SA41 3UR; Parking Close by