St Cynllo’s Church, Llanbister

*St Cynllo’s Church in Llanbister seen from the north with the rolling landscape in the background*

St Cynllo was a British saint in the late 5^th and early 6^th centuries and several churches in Wales are dedicated to him. An old Welsh poem includes the line: “The prayer of Cynllo will not be in vain.” Cynlo may have been a local ruler before dedicating his life to God.

St Cynllo set up the first church in the village of Llanbister in the 6^th C, but the present church heralds from around 1300, when the nave was constructed. The chancel and tower are more recent, from the 16^th or possibly 15^th C. St Cynllo’s church is situated on a very steep side, which inspired the builders to create an attractive and unusual composition with a massive east tower. And the church is very low, following the landscape and with a mixture of Gothic styles. it was as challenging as attractive to photograph.

*The east side dominates by the massive lowlying tower*

*The two south-facing doorways are from around 1300*

*The nave is from around 1300, but the roof was rebuilt in 1908, although following the design of the original roof*

*The chancel with part of the beautiful rood screen visible*

*The piscina was founded at a nearby site and is from no later than 1250. It is now displayed in the church*

*The church is situated on a steep incline*. *The image is captured from southwest*

2 thoughts on “St Cynllo’s Church, Llanbister”

Michelle Holdcroft says:

23rd February 2026 at 3:01 am

I have been doing my family genealogy and have just found that my GGG Grandfather Samuel Swancutt and Elizabeth Bufton were married here on the 21st of December 1827.
I have now been enjoying read in the history on the church and the photos are wonderful.

1. Jan-Eric Osterlund says:
  
  23rd February 2026 at 11:59 am
  
  Hi Michelle,
  
  Happy to hear you appreciated the post and photos.