St Gwendoline's Church

Heritage listing

Reason for designation: Listed II* as having good quality medieval work, and for its historical associations, particularly with the early Methodists. History: Talgarth was the chief royal residence of the royal house of Brycheiniog. The church was, with that of Llangors, granted to Brecon priory by Bernard of Neufmarch_ in 1093-5. Two significant events are associated with the church, the traditional burial place of St Gwendoline (Gwen frewi), the 11th daughter of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog, and the location for the conversion of Howel Harris in 1735, whose preaching in the churchyard in turn brought the famous hymnwriter, William Williams, Pantycelyn to the non-conformist persuasion. The present church building is of C13 and C14 date, restored in 1873 by Thomas Nicholson of Hereford. Exterior: Parish church, Church in Wales. C13 and C14, restored 1873 by Thomas Nicholson of Hereford. Laminated rubble Devonian red sandstone with slate roofs. Two parallel and independently roofed units, the nave with chancel, and the slightly shorter S aisle with E chapel (Francis Chapel). Large N transept used as a school until 1893, when much rebuilt, now containing organ chamber chamber and vestry. Wide gabled south porch and West tower. S porch has 4-centred outer and inner arches with bracket mouldings. Ribbed stoup and a blocked image recess over the inner door. Nave has cusped 2-light Y -tracery windows, and blocked C16 square-headed door with animal and knot in spandrels. E window 3-light with panel tracery and similar E window to S chapel. Aisle is divided from chapel only by a buttress, and has one window as nave and 2 and 3-light later C15 square headed windows with cusping. W tower is C15, of 3 stages, very small openings but Y -tracery bell openings and crenellated parapet

From Cadw under OGL v3.