Church of St Michael Llanfihangel Abergwesyn, Breconshire

The original church was a chapelry of Llanafan Fawr and at the Dissolution in the mid-16th century was in the possession of Strata Florida Abbey.

 TO BUILDERS AND OTHERS. Persons willing to submit Tenders for Rebuilding the PARISH CHURCH of LLANFINGEL-ABERGWESSIN, in the County of Brecon, situated five miles from Llanwrtyd Station, and eight miles from Garth Station, both on the Central Wales Railway, are informed that the PLANS will lie for inspection at the Belle-Vue Inn, at Llanwrtyd Wells, from Monday, 7th instant, to Saturday. 19th instant, inclusive. Tenders, upon forms supplied, to be delivered by post, prepaid, on or before Monday, 21st March, addressed to the Architect, Mr. R. J. Withers, 51, Doughty Street, London, W.C., and from whom any further particulars may be obtained. The lowest or any other tender will not necessarily be accepted. JOHN JONES. Vicar of Llanfihangel-Abergwessin. Llanfihangel-Abergwessin Vicarage, 1st March, 1870. [Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian 12 March 1870 page 4]

ABERGWESSIN - The Church at Abergwessin, which has been recently restored, was opened for divine worship on Thursday, the 3rd inst. The structure is of very ancient origin, situated in a rude part of the country, on the borders of the counties of Brecon and Cardigan. The style is Early English of the thirteenth century, and the building consists of nave, chancel, and transepts, with tower at intersections, and porch at west of south side of nave. The dimensions are as follows  - Nave, 50 feet by 19 feet; chancel, 18 feet by 9 feet ; transepts, 17 feet by 9 feet ; and tower, 26 feet. square. The walls are built of native stones faced externally with red Suffolk brick, the lower four feet being glazed, and the interval stones from the Bath quarries. The external dressings are of Greenshill and Cefn quarries. The roofs are covered with Whitland Abbey slates, surmounted by a red Staffordshire ridge or crest. A figure of St Michael, to whom the church is dedicated, is placed in a niche over the south porch doorway. In the nave there are movable open benches to accommodate about 120 persons. The works have been carried out from the designs and under the superintendence of Mr R J Withers, architect, of 11, Adam-street, Adelphi, London, by Messrs. Dove Brothers, builders, Islington, London. [Building News August 1871 page 127]

Reference    Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian 5 March 1870 page 4 - contracts
Reference    Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian 12 March 1870. - contracts
Reference    Building News 18 August 1871 page 127