Betws Cedewain Church

May 18th, 2021

Jan 27th, 2020

St Beuno's Church in Betws Cedewain is a mix of Perpendicular Gothic from the 16th century and Perpendicular Gothic Revival from the 19th. Beuno, a 7th century saint, built his first monastery in nearby Berriew. The church is Betws Cedewain is built in a pre-Conquest circular churchyard and may be the location of Beuno's more secluded retreat for solitary meditation. Betws is Welsh means prayer house The tower is the oldest section, like many churches in the area. It dates from the 16th century, and is topped with a very recognisable timber double pyramid. These timber belfries are referred to as "border belfries" due to their frequent occurrence around the Montgomeryshire Shropshire border. The undivided nave and chancel were rebuilt in 1868. The arch braced roof timbers were rebuilt to the original design and use the original timber in some places. The east window is by William Wailes and dates to the 19th century restoration. The patchwork of stained glass fragments in the south window are largely Flemish, from the 15th and 16th centuries. The church also houses a 18th century caged bier and an organ from Bates and Sons, its barrel mechanism contained in a Gothic case.
Jul 31st, 2019