St Cwyfan's
Church is known as the Church in the Sea. It is to be
found on a small tidal
island
called Cribinau located off the west coast of Anglesey and close
to the village of Aberffraw. Also known as Llangwyfan the church
can be reached on foot at low tide. Old maps show the church standing
on the mainland of Anglesey but erosion by the sea of the boulder
clay cliffs has since separated the church from the mainland.
The original site or "Llan" of Cwyfans would have been founded
in the 7th Century and the building would have been of wattle and daub
construction. The present building is said to date back to the 12th
or 13th Century with the building undergoing many restorations.
Some Norman masonry remains in the South wall, however the main
body is 14th Century. The arched, braced roof timbers are partly 16th
century. By
the 19th Century the building was a roofless ruin but money was raised
to repair the building and to build the massive sea defence walls that
give the island it's distinctive shape.
In the 21st Century the church was in the news when Cadw offered a
grant to repair the building. The grant was conditional on the exterior
of the building being finished in a cream coloured limewash. Locals were
not happy with the colour scheme many preferring the weathered look of
the old building but Cadw prevailed and St Cwyfan's Church joined the
many old Welsh buildings to receive the fashionable limewash finish.
In 2008 the church was in the news again when an organ was presented
to the church that had to be carried across the causeway by church wardens
and local farmers.
Should you wish to enter the church building please telephone in advance
Rev. Madelaine Brady
Tel :
01407 810412
