We loved the easy parking in a wide junction at the top of the lane, the easy walk down the country lane, the hidden pointer to the church through a fieldgate on the right and the grassy track to the gate. Sadly the church was shut, but the atmosphere was redolent of years of people gathering in this beautiful area.
Andrew Pike
Shut due to Covid. Ah well will try again. N.B. No sign saying closed till you reach the bottom of slope...🥵
Martin Edwards176 days ago
I just love this unique place of worship, a truly fascinating gem of a church.
Pete / Hel Havard207 days ago
Lovely walk with views to get to church, worth it if in area
Heather Srigley298 days ago
My great great great grandfather was the Anglican Minister here in the mid 1850s. Very special place where you feel connected to all the souls and nature around you.
Scott Crisman Sworts360 days ago
Despite what Google says, this place is NOT closed. It is, however, only open for very limited times in the summer. You need to check the website to find out the times it is open, but essentially it is only one Saturday a month for a couple of hours.
That said, it is very much worth the hassle of trying to visit. It has some really good Mideaval paintings, and is a chance to see to some extent what churches looked like in the Middle Ages. You need to park at the layby, and walk down to the church. The entry isn't clearly marked from the road, but it is off to your right.
Eliot Collins360 days ago
The Church of All Saints in Llangar, Denbighshire was formerly the parish church of Llangar with Cynwyd. It is now in the guardianship of Cadw, known as Llangar Old Parish Church. Records indicate a church on or near the site from as early as the late 13th century but the current structure dates from the 15th century. What draws everyone to the church are the wall paintings, dating from the 15th to the 18th century. The fragmentary designs are thought to be from eight different layers of wall paintings and many areas have been lost or obscured. One of the most characterful paintings is from the 18th century; a large skeleton greets visitors from the north wall, a memento mori depiction of Death. Most of the timber furniture inside the church dates from the early 18th century, including a large triple-decker pulpit. By the 19th century, the church was in disrepair and most of the congregation were living further up the valley. A new church was built in Cynwyd and All Saints was abandoned. Through its abandonment it escaped the zeal of the 19th century restorers and remains a remarkable example of a rural Welsh church. Cadw undertook an extensive restoration in 1974 to save the building. Works in 1991 uncovered much of the wall paintings. Free entry but check the Cadw website for opening times. Parking is in the layby on the B4401 and access is on foot.
That said, it is very much worth the hassle of trying to visit. It has some really good Mideaval paintings, and is a chance to see to some extent what churches looked like in the Middle Ages. You need to park at the layby, and walk down to the church. The entry isn't clearly marked from the road, but it is off to your right.
Records indicate a church on or near the site from as early as the late 13th century but the current structure dates from the 15th century.
What draws everyone to the church are the wall paintings, dating from the 15th to the 18th century. The fragmentary designs are thought to be from eight different layers of wall paintings and many areas have been lost or obscured.
One of the most characterful paintings is from the 18th century; a large skeleton greets visitors from the north wall, a memento mori depiction of Death.
Most of the timber furniture inside the church dates from the early 18th century, including a large triple-decker pulpit.
By the 19th century, the church was in disrepair and most of the congregation were living further up the valley. A new church was built in Cynwyd and All Saints was abandoned. Through its abandonment it escaped the zeal of the 19th century restorers and remains a remarkable example of a rural Welsh church.
Cadw undertook an extensive restoration in 1974 to save the building. Works in 1991 uncovered much of the wall paintings. Free entry but check the Cadw website for opening times. Parking is in the layby on the B4401 and access is on foot.