St. Anno's Church

St Anno's Church in Llananno is a mysterious little church, tucked away by the River Ithon almost entirely forgotten. There is little record of the early church still available, it first appears in records in 1304.
The Victorian restoration provided many reports of the medieval church. The single cell church was rebuilt in 1870. It is Gothic in style, but rather plain. However, the real treasure lies inside.
St Anno's is home to one of the best preserved, most complete and beautifully carved rood screens in the whole of Britain, dating back to the late 15th or early 16th century. Before the Reformation, such screens would have been common but now less than 30 substantially complete remain, 13 of which are in Wales.
There are 25 canopied niches, each with a carved figure. Christ resides in the centre, with 12 kings and prophets to his right and the 12 apostles on his left. The screen and loft is covered in incredibly ornate tracery, vines, pomegranates and a wyvern. The pomegranates, represent eternal life but also stand as the emblem of Katherine of Aragon who married Prince Arthur of Wales around the time of construction.
The thirty-four coving panels are decorated with seventeen different designs. Each of the ten tracery heads also has a different lace like design. Small areas were repaired and replaced in the Victorian restoration but the original carved figures were replaced entirely.
During the Victorian restoration the original box pews were replaced, save for one. The Church Warden's pew bears the name David Lewis and the date 1681.

friendly open church

Magnificent country church with an incredible 15C rood screen. Open every day. Maintenance by The Friends of Friendless Churches.