Church of St Illog, Hirnant, Montgomeryshire

 The Church of St Illog is situated in the centre of the small hamlet of Hirnant on the B4396 between Penybontfawr and Llanwyddyn/ Lake Vyrnwy. Deconsecrated in 1994, it was converted into St Illog Community Centre, opened in 1999.

 St. Illog in Hirnant has been the site of a church since the early medieval period, however there is little trace of its historic past. In 1886 the church was almost entirely dismantled and replaced, save for the north wall which retains its medieval stone construction. The nineteenth century rebuilding, by Lawrence Booth of Manchester, includes stone dressings, principals and spars for the roof, and pulpit and altar rails from the submerged church at Llanwddyn. The western end and bellcote were rebuilt once again in 1996. St. Illog’s consists of a single chamber with a west bellcote, primarily built from quarry-cut stone with yellow sandstone dressings, dating largely from the nineteenth century. During the two renovations this church has undergone most of the early fabric and fittings of the building have been removed, but the medieval font was recently restored to its original setting. [RCAHMW Inventory Documents]

HERNANT (sic) – It has been decided to build an entirely new church for the parish of Hirnant in the diocese of St Asaph, and Mr Lawrence Booth FRIBA of Manchester has been commissioned to prepare the necessary plans and designs with a view to an early commencement of the work. The Earl of Powis, Sir Watkin W. Wynn, Mr. Bamford Hesketh, and other influential landowners, are giving their support to the movement, and Sir Watkin has promised to lay the corner-stone. [Builder 13 February 1886 page 289]

The demolition of Hirnant church with a view to reconstruction, is now complete; and the contractors are pushing on with the new work, which is to be completed by Sept. 29. [Rhyl Journal 14 May 1892 page 4]

RECONSTRUCTION OF OLD WELSH CHURCH.—-The parish church of Hirnant, in Montgomeryshire, which has recently been reconstructed from the plans and under direction of Messrs Booth and Chadwick, architects, of Manchester and Colwyn Bay, was consecrated on Tuesday, the 1st inst., by the Lord Bishop of St. Asaph. This comparatively small edifice will always have attached to a somewhat interesting history. There are authentic records far back as the 12th century, of a church at Hirnant, dedicated to St. Illog, and it is tolerably certain that some portions of building which has just been demolished formed part of the ancient church, there being distinct evidence of its having been added to from time to time. A great portion of the present building materials have been brought from Llanwyddn, some five miles distant, where they constituted a few years ago the church of that village, and where they would otherwise, like the village, be submerged at the bottom of Lake Vyrnwy : the enormous reservoir which now supplies Liverpool with water. The farmers the district made contributions by gratuitous carting of the materials through the mountainous roads between the two places. …  The beautiful baptismal font, by Mr J. Rawson, of Bury, is the gift of Mr. Lawrence Booth, of Crumpsall Green. This donation has afforded especial pleasure to the recipients, bearing, as it does, the inscription: Gadewch i'r pi nt chain ddyfod attaf fi, ac na waherddweh hwynt," which is Welsh for " Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not," The whole of the work has been well carried out by Mr. W. H. Thomas, builder, of Oswestry, and the stained glass has been supplied by Mr W. Pape, of Leeds. [Manchester Courier Friday 4 November 1892 page 6]

The church was declared redundant in October 1994, due to the small congregation, high running costs and structural problems associated with the west wall but in 1995 it was saved from closure by a group of local enthusiasts. In 1996 the west end, including the bellcote, was rebuilt, and, after careful restoration and refurbishment, St. Illog's Community Centre was opened by Lembit Opik (MP) in June 1999, having preserved the Sanctuary and Choir for the celebration of occasional Christian Services.

Reference        Builder 13 February 1886 page 289
Reference        Manchester Courier Friday 4 November 1892 page 6 – consecration
Reference        Manchester Guardian 3 November 1892 page 7 – consecration
Reference        Arthur Tyerman: A History of St. Illog’s Church. 2012
Archive            Lambeth Palace Library ICBS 09605. File includes printed circular and photograph of old church from south-west