Church of St Teilo, Brechfa, Carmarthenshire

Plans prepared 1888. Tenders 1891. Construction1892-1893

TO BUILDERS. Persons desirous of tendering for the new CHURCH to be erected at BRECHFA, near Carmarthen, should send in their names at once to E. H. Lingen Barker, Architect. 146, St. Owen's-street, Hereford. [Carmarthen Journal 3 April 1891 page 4]

CONSECRATION OF BRECHFA CHURCH. The new Parish Church of Brechfa was on Tuesday consecrated by the Lord Bishop of St. David's. The new church has, besides a nave and chancel, a porch on the north side and a vestry on the south, the west end of the nave having what is not a common feature, viz., a triple arched bell gablet. The church is built of native stone, with light freestone windows and other dressings, and is covered with grey slates. The nave roof inside is open timbered, the walls being lofty and the roof of the chancel is wagon-boarded for sound, for acoustic reasons, and its east window is of novel description, being filled with Muranese tinted glass by Swaine Bourne, of Birmingham, which is an admirable economic substitute for stained glass. The altar standards and other wrought iron work on door., etc., are by Brown and Co., also of Birmingham, and the carving (which is very excellent imitation of natural foliage, fruit, and flowers) is by Herridge, of Cardiff. The chancel pavement and nave gangways are laid with Maw's encaustic tiles, and the building is warmed with one of Porritt's hot-air underground stoves. The contract sum (which did not include the fencing and gates) was £978, and this has not been exceeded. The contractors were Morris and Co., and Mr. E. H. Lingen Barker was the architect. [Western Mail 22 November 1893 page 6]

CONSECRATION OF BRECHFA CHURCH. The new Parish Church at Brechfa was on Nov. 14th consecrated by the Lord Bishop of St. David’s ….. The new church has, besides a nave and chancel, a porch on the north side and a vestry on the south, the west end of the nave having what is not a common feature viz., a triple arched bell gable. The church is built of native stone, with light freestone windows and other dressings, and is covered with grey slates. The nave roof inside is open timbered, the walls being lofty and the roof of the chancel is wagon-boarded for sound, for acoustic reasons, and its east window is of novel description, being filled with Muranese tinted glass by Swaine Bourne, of Birmingham, which is an admirable economic substitute for stained glass. The altar standards and other wrought iron work on doors, etc., are by Brown and Co., also of Birmingham, and the carving (which is very excellent imitation of natural foliage, fruit, and flowers) is by Herridge, of Cardiff. The chancel pavement and nave gangways are laid with Maw's encaustic tiles, and the building is warmed with one of Porritt's hot- air under-ground stoves. The contract sum (which did not include the fencing and gates) was £978, and this has not been exceeded. The contractors were. Morris and Co., and Mr E. H. Lingen Barker was the architect. [Evening Express 22 November 1893 page 4]

The new edifice, built of native stone with dressed freestone windows, etc., consists of a nave and chancel. The entrance porch is on the north side, and the vestry on the south. The nave gangway, chancel, and porch are laid with Maw's encaustic tiles. Acoustical decorations were well cared for in the design, the nave roof being open timbered and that of the chapel being wagon- boarded, while the walls are a good height. The east window is prettily designed and is filled with a valuable substitute of stained glass, namely, Muranese tinted glass. The remaining windows are of plain glass provided with Hopper's patent ventilating openers. The building is heated with one of Parritt's hot air stoves, while the altar rails standards and wrought iron work of doors, etc., are by Browne and Company, of Birmingham. We are much struck with the faithful representations of foliage, etc., in the carved work within, which was wisely entrusted to Mr Herridge. of Cardiff. The west end of the nave has a very uncommon feature in a triple arched bell gablet, thought at present provided with only one bell. This will doubtless receive attention in due time. [Carmarthen Journal 1 December 1893 page 3]

PARISH CHURCH, BRECHFA, CARMARTHENSHIRE - The new parish church of Brechfa was on Tuesday consecrated by the Bishop of St. David’s. The new church has, besides a nave and chancel, porch on the north side and a vestry on the south, the west end of the nave having a triple-arched bell gablet. The church is built of native stone, with dressed freestone windows and other dressings, and is covered with grey slates. The nave roof inside is open-timbered, and the roof of the chancel is wagon boarded, and its east window is filled with Muranese tinted glass by Swaine Bourne, of Birmingham. The aItar standards and other wrought-iron work on doors, &c., are by Brown & Co., also of Birmingham, and the carving is by Herridge. of Cardiff, the chancel pavement and nave gangways are laid with Maw's encaustic tile's, and the building is warmed with one of Porritt's hot-air underground stoves. The contractors were Morris & Co., and Mr. E. H. Lingen Barker was the architect. [Builder 25 November 1893 page 395]

Reference    Western Mail 22 November 1893 page 6
Reference    Evening Express 22 November 1893 page 4
Reference    Carmarthen Journal 1 December 1893 page 3
Reference    Welshman 21 September 1888
Reference    ICBS 9291