St David's, Llanwrtyd Wells

The old Parish Church of St David's sits in peaceful isolation overlooking the River Irfon and surrounded by undulating hills. The church has a history spanning more than 1000 years. The site is reputed to have been chosen by St David himself following the hugely significant synod at Llandewibrefi in 519 AD.

The early church would have been made of wood and wattle with earth floors. In 1164, Lord Rhys gave the hills behind the church to the Cistercian Monastery in Strata Florida and this arrangement continued until 1535.

The architecture of the Church extends over four periods. The window near the pulpit is 12th Century; the other windows are 15th Century; the Chancel was added in Norman times and the porch was built in the 16th century. Previously the entrance to the Church would have been through a door in the West end, the outline of which can be seen today behind the larger than life statue of St David.

There is a raised section of flooring, where St David's wooden statue is, which would have been partitioned off to separate it off from the rest of the Church. This area was used as a school area in an age when there was no compulsory education and the majority of working class people could neither read or write.

During the Victorian era and well into the 20th century St. David’s benefited from a unique heating system – the Gurney Stove. It’s unclear when the stove was last in use and although he chimney still exists, it's been capped off. Given that there’s no electricity in the Church, the congregation have often asked about it being brought back into operation- the winters in Llanwrtyd are often cold and wet!

.St David's Church was the Parish Church for Llanwrtyd Wells until 1896 when St James was built to serve the needs of a growing community. The church is still used today for services and a special highlight is the candle lit Christmas Service.