St Beuno's Church, Berriew

The earliest mention of the church is in the Norwich Taxation of 1254 and by the Lincoln Taxation of 1291 it the church was held by the Cistercian Abbey of Strata Marcella near Welshpool. Fortunately two illustrations exist of the earlier church at Berriew, which was demolished in 1802. The first watercolour of 1796 was commissioned by Thomas Pennant from the artist John Ingleby. Pennant was intending to re-publish his Tours in Wales and to use this as an illustration. In his original tour in July 1776, he had visited Vaynor Park in Berriew, although he does not mention the church. John Ingleby shows the church from the South East with a typical Montgomeryshire bellcote. He also shows the…