St David's Church, Brecon

Heritage listing

Reason for designation: Included for its special interest as a church of medieval origins, containing an important early inscribed stone. History: Anglican parish church, probably C14-C15, extensively rebuilt in 1861 by C. E. Buckeridge of Oxford for the Rev. Gilbert Harries of Llandefaelog Fach, who had opposed the planned demolition of the derelict medieval church. Described in 1855 by Sir S. Glynne as whitewashed, in poor repair, with some trefoiled windows. The roof is said to have been raised in 1885, and slates replaced stone tiles. The Early Christian pillar stone in the church is probably evidence of a church on or near this site from a very early period. The stone was found during restoration in 1861 used as a jamb-stone in one of the windows. Exterior: Church, brown rubble stone with slate roof. Long undivided nave and chancel, N porch, small bellcote, rebuilt in C20. Broad C19 wooden gabled porch with bargeboards, and pointed cusped entry between square panels, pierced with cinquefoil roundels each side of entry, and three with quatrefoils to each side. Pointed C19 chamfered stone N doorway to church, with C19 door. C19 windows are plain cusped lancets. To left, a C19 2-light, and then a C19 single-light and, to left again, a grey stone trefoil-headed medieval single window, much restored. Three-light pointed C19 E window with hoodmould and purple stone voussoirs. E wall stonework looks all C19. Plaques on E wall including those to Thomas Williams of Cwmcamlais Fawr, died 1807, by T. Williams; John Williams died 1794; Margaret Williams of Cwmcamlais Fawr died 1816 and Alice Walters died 1817. On S side, from right, a 2-light medieval window with pointed cusped lights, much restored, a blocked late medieval or C16 doorway, with stopped chamfers to jambs, and r

From Cadw under OGL v3.