Past & Present Work

Project: St Baglan's Church, Llanfaglan
Client: Friends of Friendless Churches
Architect: Tim Ratcliffe and Associates
Date: 2005

History
The old Church of Llanfaglan sits in a windswept barley field looking over the mouth of the Menai Straits in Gwynedd; its location could not be more peaceful. It is an important historic Church and marks the beginning of the pilgrims trail that ends at Ynys Enlli (Bardsey island).

The site dates from the Celtic Christian era, but the earliest parts of the building date back to the fourteenth century. In the seventeenth century much of the Church was re-built . Because of its isolated rural location, the whole site including the Church walls and lychgate seem to have been untouched for centuries. The interior is as fine an example as you will see of seventeenth century Welsh Church life, with family stalls and pews left in their original positions.

Project:

Removal of cement from around seventh century early Christian burial stone above door. Careful cleaning of the stone and removal of algae. New lime mortar pointing

Removal of cement pointing from bell tower, West front, South Gable and internal walls

Re-pointing in a mortar that accurately matched the original. Hydraulic lime mixed with locally sourced aggregate and sand

Partial re-building of West wall of the South Transept

Cleaning of all internal limewashed surfaces, including the roof timbers

New pigmented limewash of traditional ochre colour, sourced from Ynys Môn

New oak-pegged roof to one side of shed using thick old random Cambrian slate.

Interior re-limewashed in traditional pigment

Interior before work