St Michael’s is the oldest standing building in the village of Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, and is set within a landscape steeped in history, encompassing prehistoric hillforts, Roman forts and villas, and lead mines.
The circular churchyard is older than the church itself and the raised ground level is indicative of its use for burials over the centuries.
We do not know the exact date the church we see today was built; it first appears in records around AD 1300, though its origins are likely to be much earlier. The Welsh Lords of the Commote of Creuddyn, for which Llanfihangel was the administrative centre with its court and village, would certainly have had a church here and the Brut y Tywysogion (The Chronicle of the Princes) notes that Gwenllian, daughter of Maelgwn Ieuanc (Fychan), died at her father’s court or Llys at Llanfihangel Gelynrhod (an older name for the settlement) in 1254.
The scale of the Church demonstrates the importance and centrality of Llanfihangel within the Commote of Creuddyn in the medieval period. Today this small, quiet village still has five roads leading to it, with the church tower remaining a prominent landmark.
In recent centuries, St Michael’s became the church for the wider parish of Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, and the village we see today was established.
There have been several phases of repairs, alterations and refurbishments to the church.
A Medieval refit
Between 1500 and 1530 the church underwent major refurbishment. New timbers and a bell frame were installed in the tower and the church was re-roofed with an impressive oak “Wagon” roof.
Victorian repairs and improvements
These have included the addition of the porch and vestry, the installation of a new floor and heating system, the fitting of the pitch-pine pews and the addition of the spire to the tower.
Churchyard
The churchyard with its distinctive curved wall is older than the existing building. In 1928 a new burial ground for the church was also established on the edge of the village. It was prepared by villagers and consecrated by the Lord Bishop of St David’s on 16 October 1928.
Today St Michael’s is protected as a Grade II* Listed Building, a rare example of a largely unaltered Welsh medieval church.
Find Out More
Visit the History area located in the south transept of the church.
RCAHMW: https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/105145/
Cadw Listed Building Description. https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=&id=9850
Dyfed Archaeological Trust: https://www.dyfedarchaeology.org.uk/wp/discovery/projects/churches/st-michael-llanfihangel-y-creuddyn-ceredigion/
An interview with local historian Gerald Morgan (load on YouTube)
