St Peblig's Church, Llanbeblig

Heritage listing

Reason for designation: Listed grade I as a well-preserved substantial medieval church on an important early Christian site, with an imposing exterior including a prominent tower, and an especially fine interior including late-medieval roofs of high quality and a good range of fittings, including a fine late C16 tomb chest in a private chapel. History: Close to Segontium Roman Fort and built on the site of a Roman mithraeum. A Roman altar was found in the S wall of the church during C19 restoration. The dedication to St Peblig, said to be the son of Macsen Wledig, is evidence that this was an important early Christian site. The church was given to Aberconway Abbey in the C13 by Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, but the present fabric is of the C14 or later. The W tower was probably begun in the late C14 but was not completed until the C16, perhaps after the Reformation. The NE chapel was built in 1593. Subsequent alterations were minor, but included the extension of the N transept in 1775 and building a vestry in 1822 between the N transept and the NE Chapel. Restoration occurred in 1839 and more substantially in 1894 when the crossing and tower arches were rebuilt, the present porch was added and the seating was replaced. Exterior: A mainly late Perpendicular church although incorporating much C14 fabric, of cruciform plan with W tower, and NE vestry and chapel, also known as the Vaynol Chapel. Of coursed rubble walls and slate roofs behind coped gables. The 3-stage W tower is built in 2 phases distinguishable by a change in the masonry. The lower stage of the late C14 or early C15 has a narrow W window in a chamfered surround, while on the S side is a similar window with a narrower slit to the L lighting the stair. In the middle stage is a C16 2-light W window with sunk spandrels

From Cadw under OGL v3.