St Gwynio

1844-46 rebuild in restrained gothic style with neoclassical elements designed by local surveyor JR Collard. Slate roofs have pierced bargeboards with modillion and mouldings. Pedimented bellcote has two dedicated bells dated 1685 and 1845 with cockerel finial. Finely worked slate walls with grey oolite and bath stone dressings with details such as curved voussoir with cylindrical keystone and carved dove above vestry door. Figurative stained glass windows include Christ the good shepherd, flanked by St Paul and St John by Heaton, Butler & Bayne c.1926 with other two probably both by Chapel Studio 1958. 

Layout consists of porch, two bay nave, chancel and 20th century vestry. Plainly finished interior with suspended timber and geometric tiled floors, painted plaster and stained timber dado wall panelling, stained boarded timber and painted sheet boarded ceilings. Fittings include a painted Victorian font, simple stained pitch pine pews with pair of brass posts and an oak pulpit from 1932, carved with a saint in episcopal robes and dove in flight. Chancel contains two wooden gothic style panels with faux grain borders painted with Welsh biblical text and the ten commandments. Four late 19th/early 20th century stone wall monuments dedicated to local families and former church wardens. Artefacts from Llanglydwen include octagonal font remains and 17th century stone depicting male figure with undecipherable Greek lettering.

Surviving medieval fabric includes font remains and stone shaft of a cross. Polygonal graveyard walls and raised circular earthworks are surrounded by much larger oval enclosure suggestive of a bronze or iron age fortification. Slate steps with iron railings and kissing gate provide access to the public right of way. It is believed that St Gwynio walking this route from Llanwinio to Cilsant was attacked by Irish marauders and a spring sprung from the ground where his decapitated head fell. A 5/6th century Ogam stone dedicated to Biva(i)du son of Bodibeva discovered during demolition of the medieval church is currently held by Carmarthen Museum. Matured trees include beech and ash with a yew and monkey puzzle. Protected species recorded on the site include pipistrelles (common and soprano) and brown long eared bats.