Llangynllo Parish Church
This is a summary of some of the details about the church building which have been taken from the booklet 'A guide to S.Cynllo's Church, Llangynllo' by Brian Whatmore and also from 'Hanes Plwyf Llangynllo', a winning essay at the Coedybryn Eisteddfod 1901, by Evan Davies. The booklet by Brian Whatmore is available from the church. The building is listed as Grade 2*.
Sant Cynllo's Church is located near the village of Coedybryn and overlooks the Bronwydd valley. Between 1868 and 1870 a new building was built on the site of the previous church. It is said that the tower was kept to maintain the link with the past. The Lloyd's family, Bronwydd mansion and the Tyler family, Gernos mansion, were mainly responsible for finding the 2,200 for construction. John Middleton of Cheltenham was the architect.
The church is an excellent example of what is known as 'High Victorian' architecture. A number of materials such as marble, granite and Bath stone are used within the building. The floor of the chancel is made of tiles supplied by Messrs Minton of Stoke on Trent and the decorative chancel roof is divided into panels decorated in gold and supported by carvings of eight angels. The nave ceiling is open and the pews are made of pine. A cross of white marble, decorated with coloured marble, and on a background of alabaster, can be seen above the altar. On the chancel arch there are carvings of the heads of St. Mathew and St. Mark facing west and St. Luke and St. John facing east.
Quality carvings are seen throughout. They can be seen above the altar, the pulpit, the font and also in a statue of Ruth. There are a number of stained glass windows with the east window above the altar of a design by Messrs Hardman of Birmingham. The west window was presented by Sir Marteine and Lady Lloyd, Bronwydd, in memory of their only son Captain Marteine Kemes Arundel Lloyd who died on the Somme in 1916. The three stained glass windows in the chancel are also the design and work of John Hardman. These were installed in 1909 in memory of Mr Gwinnet Tyler, his wife, and the Gernos family.
There are a number of memorial stones and also brass plates on the walls in memory of different families. Along with these, there is a litany desk, a lectern, communion vessels, a harmonium, brass and wooden candlesticks, and flower vases, to mention just a few, given in memory of loved ones.
The organ is located to the north of the chancel. This was the location of the church vestry until the current one was built in 1897. This section is divided from the chancel by an arch which is supported by carved angels. The south porch is beneath the tower and spire which houses the bell.