Church Heritage Record

Church Heritage Record 2058

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Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentAudit

St Benedict, Gyffin

Name:

The name or dedication of the church.

St Benedict, Gyffin
Record Type:

This identifies the church type. Most churches are parish churches which means they serve a specific parish or area. Other types such as chapel, daughter and mission are mostly historic designations as many are now also parish churches. Please note that former churches are no longer used for worhsip and may be in private ownership.

Parish Church
Church code:

A unique identification number given to every church.

2058
Diocese:

The name of the diocese in which the church is located.

Bangor
Archdeaconry:

The name of the archdeaconry in which the church is located.

Bangor
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

There are 3 levels of listing: Grade I, II* & II. The majority of buildings which are of special interest are Grade II. A much smaller number of particularly important buildings are listed as Grade II*. Buildings of exceptional interest (approx 2% of the total number of listed buildings) are Grade I.

This is a Grade I Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?

Ancient monuments and archaeological remains of national importance are protected by law. Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service is responsible for compiling a schedule (list) of these ancient monuments, some of which can be found in churches and churchyards. Examples can include churchyard crosses and the archaeological remains of previous churches or buildings on the site.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

There are three National Parks in Wales: Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons. These protect 20 percent of the land in Wales, including precious landscapes, habitats, villages and heritage sites. 

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

There are over 500 conservation areas in Wales. They are designated by local planning authorities for their special architectural and historic interest.

The church is not in a Conservation Area

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Buildings At Risk Status

On Buildings At Risk Register?

The Buildings at Risk register is managed by Cadw (the Welsh Government’s historic environment service) in order to identify the number and type of listed buildings at risk in Wales. 

This church is not on the Buildings at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

It is often extremely difficult to determine a precise date of construction for a church as many have been extensively altered over time. Church Heritage Cymru therefore shows a date range within which a church is believed to have been constructed. The dates are as follows: Early Medieval (pre 1066), Medieval (post 1066 to 1540), Post Medieval (1540 to 1837), Victorian/Pre WWI (1837 to 1914) and Modern (post 1914).

Medieval

Exterior Image

The Church of St Benedict Gyffin
Caption:

The name/dedication of the church and its location.

The Church of St Benedict Gyffin
Description:

A brief description of the image

Exterior view of the church looking towards the south elevation.
Year / Date:

The date the image was created.

2015
Copyright:

Details of any copyright are displayed here.

Richard Hoare (Creative Commons Licence)
Originator:

The name of the person who uploaded the image.

Tina Andrew

Summary Description

This is a very brief summary of the church's main features. More  detailed nformation can be found in the other fields and pages (tabs) in this database.

St Benedict's Church is originally thirteenth century in date, but there have been a number of later additions to the earliest part, the eastern section of the nave. The chancel is mostly fifteenth century with a possibly thirteenth century southern section. The south porch was added in the fifteenth or sixteenth century and the southern chapel in the sixteenth. The wooden arcade to the north side of the chancel was added in the seventeenth century. There are nineteenth century windows and a thirteenth century font. The most significant feature of the church is the late fifteenth century painted chancel ceiling. The sixteen panels are covered with faded paintings of saints, full-length, in red, olive and grey, against a foliage background. They are the only comprehensible fifteenth century church paintings in Gwynedd. Reference: RCAHMW Coflein database.

Visiting and Facilities

Useful information is displayed here for people wishing to visit the church. This may include things like opening hours, catering & toilet facilities, parking, etc. 

The church is open for worship.
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Church Website

Church Website:

If the church has its own website the details will be displayed here.

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Sources and Further Information

Any further sources of information for the church will be listed here (eg. links to other historic databases).

View information on worship and access at this church on the Church In Wales web site
RCAHMW (2004) Coflein http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/43691/details/ [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/
Cadw (2006) Historic Wales Report http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=3291 [Digital Archive/Document]
The Cadw listed building description of St Benedict's Church.
Cadw (2006) Historic Wales Report http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=3294 [Digital Archive/Document]
The Cadw listed building description of the churchyard wall, gates & piers.
GAT (2017) Historic Environment Record (HER) http://cofiadurcahcymru.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=GAT6934 [Digital Archive/Document]
The HER from the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust for St Benedict's Church Gyffin.
Tina Andrew (2015) The Church of St Benedict Gyffin [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
The Church of St Benedict Gyffin

This is the Ordnance Survey (OS) reference for the location of the church. Some locations will be approximate as this data is continuously being refined and updated.

Grid Reference: SH 776 769

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Church address

Address
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
St Benedict Gyffin CONWY LL32 8HN

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

This is the name of the Local Authoirity within which the church is located.

Conwy - Conwy

Location and Setting

This describes how the church relates to its immediate and wider environment, sometimes called its setting. It describes how the church contributes to its landscape or townscape and how these things collectively contribute to the character of the area.

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Church Plan

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Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

This is a description of the ground plan of the church.

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Dimensions

If known, the dimensions (measurements) of the church ground plan will be displayed here.

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Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

If the footrprint (area) of the church is known, it will be displayed here.

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Description of Archaeology and History

A description of the history and archaeology of the church and its site.

A church of at least C13 origin. The nave is substantially medieval fabric, the S chapel C16. The chancel retains a late medieval roof but the E wall of the chancel and the N chapel were built in 1858 when the church was extensively restored. Windows in the earlier parts of the building were also replaced at this time, giving the church a C19 external character.  

Reference: Cadw listed building description.

Exterior Description

A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.

A simple Gothic style church comprising nave, lower chancel with N and S chapels, and N vestry. Of grey rubble stone with freestone light-brown dressings, and slate roof behind coped gables. The W bellcote has a single bell in a pointed opening beneath a stepped gable. The S porch is partly open on the E side with diamond wooden mullions. The arched entrance is timber-framed with collar beam and has iron gates. The nave has two 3-light square-headed windows on the R of the porch and a single-light window to its L. Buttress at the E end. Decorated W window of 3-lights with hood mould and head stops. On the N side of the nave is a central near full-height vertical joint indicating a break in the building. It has a 3-light square-headed window on the R side incorporating Decorated tracery. The S and N chapels have tooled quoins and their E walls are aligned with the chancel E wall, forming an unusual T-shaped plan. The S chapel has a W segmental-headed doorway, in the angle with the chancel, which has a boarded door and strap hinges. The S window is 3-light Decorated and the E wall has a 3-light square-headed window incorporating Decorated tracery. The chancel has a 3-light window with reticulated tracery and hood mould with head stops. The N chapel has a 3-light square-headed E window with ogee lights. The lean-to N vestry has a reduced stone stack and N window in a dressed surround.  

Reference: Cadw listed building description.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Information about any noteable architects, artists, people, or events associated with the church.

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Building Fabric and Features

Information about any important features and building fabric.

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Building Materials

If known, a list of the church's major building material/s will be displayed here.

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Interior Image

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Interior Description

This section gives a general description of the interior of the church. Further details of any important internal fixtures and fittings will be listed below.

The porch has slate benches. The S doorway has a continuous chamfer, with late medieval ribbed door and strap hinges. The inner side of the door is strengthened with diamond lattice braces. The principal interior features are in the chancel. The chancel has a late medieval boarded wagon roof, once forming a companion of honour to the sanctuary. It has painted figures of Evangelists and saints, on a cornice incorporating large male heads, 2 surviving on the S side and 1 on the N side. A late medieval parclose screen to the S chapel has a reed-moulded post-and-panel dado, below open lights with delicate tracery, and 2-tier cornice. A doorway, with gabled head and delicate tracery patterns, is set back from the W end. The opening to the N chapel has a post-Reformation screen of 3 bays, narrower in the centre, with simple brackets supporting the chancel roof. It has plywood arches inserted. Other details are mainly C19. The interior is plastered and painted white. The nave has a roof of closely spaced arched braces. The chancel arch is on foliage corbels and has a single order of chamfer. Chapels have 2-bay arched-brace roofs. The font, probably C13 or C14, has a round bowl with low-relief foliage frieze and is lead lined. It stands on a later pedestal of 4 clustered shafts and a square base and plinth. Simple pews have moulded ends. The pulpit has fielded panels, as do the choir stalls. The C17 communion rail has turned balusters. Against the E wall of the chancel are re-set grave slabs, to David Lloyd (d 1691) and Katherine Lloyd (d 1710). In the chancel S wall a slate tablet with pilasters commemorates Brigadier-General F.M. Edwards (d 1929). In the N wall of the nave is a brass plaque to Thomas Ellis (d 1898) and slate tablet to John Prichard (d 1756). The E window shows Christ as the Good Shepherd, flanked by figures of SS Peter and Paul, post 1858. One nave S window is by Jones & Willis, showing crucifixion and resurrection, 1922.  

Reference: Cadw listed building description.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

Information about the church's important internal fixtures and fittings. 

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Portable Furnishings and Artworks

Information about the church's important moveable items and artworks.

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Ecology

A description of the ecology of the churchyard.

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Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

Information about the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

Work in progress - can you help?

Burial and War Grave Information

Records whether the church has been consecrated.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.

It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.

It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there are any war graves in the churchyard.

The churchyard has war graves.

National Heritage Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Parish Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Parish Church

Churchyard Structures

Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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Setting Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship of the church to its surrounding area and helps place it within its wider landscape context.

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Fabric Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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Fabric Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the significance of the historic building fabric of the church.

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Interior Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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Interior Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the historic significance of the interior of the church.

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Community Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

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Community Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship between the church and its community. 

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Church Renewables

Any renewable energy systems the church is using will be listed here.

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Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Parish Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

"Seek Advice" Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Parish Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Parish Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Parish Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Parish Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Parish Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Burial and War Grave informationMon 07 Oct 2019 10:41:50
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Asset AddressMon 07 Oct 2019 10:39:34
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 20 Apr 2017 15:49:35
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionThu 20 Apr 2017 15:47:09
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionThu 20 Apr 2017 15:46:25
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionThu 20 Apr 2017 15:45:52
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the National Park informationThu 20 Apr 2017 15:41:54
Tina AndrewAdded image of the exterior of the buildingThu 20 Apr 2017 15:29:23
Tina AndrewModified asset data - Modified the Approximate DateThu 20 Apr 2017 15:24:07
Tina AndrewModified asset source linkThu 20 Apr 2017 15:19:27
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