Christmas Fern – Polystichum acrostichoides

The Church of St Elli, Llanelly, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a parish church with its origins in the 14th century. The church underwent three major restorations, in 1867–1868, 1897 and 1910–1911. It remains an active parish church and is a Grade II* listed building. The church is dedicated to the 6th-century Saint Elli, who may have been a daughter or granddaughter of King Brychan, or a male disciple of Saint Cadoc.

History

The church dates from the 14th century, or earlier,^[1] but little remains of this period.^[2] The nave is medieval^[1] but its walls were all rebuilt in the restorations of the 19th and 20th centuries.^[2] The first of these rebuildings took place in 1867–1868, and was undertaken by the architect Joseph Nevill of Abergavenny.^[1] The spire dates from the restoration of 1897 by Baldwin of Brecon.^[2] The final rebuilding was undertaken by J. Vaughan Richards of Crickhowell in 1910–1911.^[1]

Until local government reorganisation of 1974, the parish of Llanelly was in the historic county of Brecknockshire^[2] and St Elli's remains an active church under the administration of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, although the parish is now in Monmouthshire.^[3]

Architecture and description

The church is built of Old Red Sandstone rubble.^[1] It comprises a nave with west tower, chancel, aisle and porch.^[1] The architectural historian John Newman considered the "broad and squat" tower the most memorable feature.^[2]

The interior contains some monuments of "unusually high quality" which are noted in the church's listing record for its Grade II* designation.^[1]

Notes

References

• Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.