St Idloes Parish Church

Heritage listing

Reason for designation: Multi-period church of exceptional historic and architectural interest. The early C16 phase incorporating material from one of the foremost abbeys of medieval Wales alongside a newly commissioned decorated roof provides a unique historic insight into the condition of religion in Wales in the early days of the English Reformation. The well preserved fourteenth century tower and a good collection of C19 and C20 stained glass add to the building’s architectural interest. History: C16 Gothic Church in Perpendicular style with earlier tower and incorporating early C13 material from Abbey Cwmhir, with C19 restorations. The church which gives Llanidloes its name is dedicated to the C7 Saint Idloes, who is also associated with a holy well (now lost but tentatively placed somewhere in the grounds of Llanidloes Town Football Club). Llanidloes Parish Church has possible early Christian origins as a daughter church to the clas at Llandinam (qv Church of St Llanio ref.7566). The late 1300s West Tower is the oldest part of Llanidloes church original to this location. The Cistercian Monastery at Abbey Cwmhir (qv refs.8717 and RD012) was established 10 miles southeast of Llanidloes in 1143 and initially patronised by both Welsh and Norman Lords, but was later seen as favouring the Welsh Princes over the King of England. In 1231 it was burnt down by Henry III’s forces, prompting an ambitious scheme to rebuild the abbey as the largest church in Wales with the patronage of Llywelyn Fawr. Work ceased after Llywelyn’s death and the abbey was never completed. By the time of the monastery was repressed by Henry VIII in 1537 it had only three monks. The Church of St Idloes was substantially rebuilt around 1542 to accommodate a 5-bay arcade removed from Abbey Cwmhir. A h

From Cadw under OGL v3.