St Seiriol’s Church Penmaenmawr

On the 5th of April 1862, a public meeting was held in the National Schoolroom of the Parish, when it was decided to build a New Church, to supply a long felt want in the district. On the 19 September 1863, the present site, which was obtained from Mr S. D. Darbishire, of Pen- dyffryn, in exchange for the original plot, was finally accepted, and letters were sent out to various architects inviting plans. The plans submitted by Alfred Waterhouse were adopted on 12 April 1864, and tenders sought. On the 29 June 1865, the tender of Mr Atkinson, of Llandudno, for the shell was accepted and a few days later, Murray Gladstone signed the contract, as employer, on behalf of the committee. Work commenced immediately.  Mrs W. E. Gladstone was invited to lay the corner stone. However, the family did not visit Penmaenmawr in the 1866 season and as a result the ceremony was delayed until 1867, the ceremony taking place on 20 August 1867 of that year. By this stage the "shell" of the building was nearly completed, and that about one-half of the roof was slated. It was clear, therefore, that the laying of a "foundation" stone, or even a "corner'' stone, was somewhat of an anachronism. During the course of the subsequent proceedings W E Gladstone indicated that, if he should be permitted, he would make them a present of a bell. He liked a bell, it was a delightful thing; and a bell in a place like Penmaenmawr between the mountains and the sea, would be particularly pleasant, and he should be most happy to present them with one. But they would remember one thing —that a bell was of no use without there was a tower to put it in, and before he gave the bell, they would have to build the tower. If then they accepted his offer of a bell, he should consider it a pledge on their part, to build the Church tower, and finish the Church. 

PENMAENMAWR: LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF ST. SEIRIOL'S CHURCH, BY MRS. WILLIAM E. GLADSTONE - On Tuesday last, the 20th instant, the corner stone of the new Church at Penmaenmawr, was laid, with considerable éclat, by Mrs Gladstone, the lady of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer. During recent years, Penmaenmawr, which is in the Parish of Dwygyflychi, has become one of the most fashionable, as it is one of the most pleasant and picturesque watering places on the west coast of Wales. For some years Mr Gladstone and family have made it their place of autumn sojourn for a month or two, and regularly so with the exception of last year when the family were unable to pay a visit to this part of Wales. 

The site of the new Church is everything which could be desired and is the best which could possibly have been selected. It is on a rising ground to the east of the village and in the midst of the new villas which have been built during the last few years, and it is within a short half mile of the station by road, and only a few hundred yards in a direct line. The style is of modern Gothic, and it is calculated to afford sitting room for 700 persons. Inside it is divided into three parts, namely, the chancel, the nave, and a space parallel with the nave from which it is separated by arched pillars of Cefn stone, the outside walls being built of the blue Penmaenmawr stone. The entire length of the structure including the chancel is 114 feet, and it is 49 feet wide. The chancel is nearly square, being 27 feet in length and 25 feet in width. The chief entrance is in the end facing the west, and it is intended to build a tower with a spire on the north side, but there are no funds for this as yet. The dressings of all the windows, etc., are of Cefn stone. The situation of the Church, though extremely picturesque, it having the broad expanse of the sea in front and high mountains in its rear, is nevertheless exposed to the storms which occur on this coast so frequently, and particularly during winter, so that it was incumbent to provide against damp. To meet this want, the inside of the walls is built of red and white bricks, with a cavity of two inches wide between the brick work inside and the stonework outside. This not only secures it from damp, but it gives to the church inside a very warm appearance and is unquestionably a great improvement upon plaster. The church is to be heated with warm air in piping, at Mr Murray Gladstone’s sole expense; and we are also informed that this liberal gentleman has undertaken to seat the whole of the Church, and at a cost of £1,000 or thereabouts. [North Wales Chronicle 24 August 1867 page 2]

PENMAENMAWR. ST. SEIRIOL'S CHURCH - The want of proper accommodation for holding divine service in English, in the parish of Penmaenmawr, will no longer be felt by the large and constantly increasing number of distinguished persons, who are in the habit of visiting that attractive watering place annually. The new Church of St. Seiriol having been completed – with the exception of the tower-was opened for the celebration of divine service on Whit Tuesday, the 2nd inst. [North Wales Chronicle 6 June 1868 page 4]

Reference    North Wales Chronicle 24 August 1867 page 2
Reference    North Wales Chronicle 6 June 1868 page 4