St Michael
Eglwysfach, Ceredigion
Village church with famous literary associations.
Following the growth of the nonconformist religious movement in Machynlleth in the 1780s, it was decided to almost completely rebuild St Peter's Church. Money for the rebuilding was raised by levying an additional charge on ratepayers. The rebuilding work was carried out in 1827.
In 1845 the church received a boost when Mary Cornelia Edwards married Henry Vane Tempest (later to become the 5th Marquess of Londonderry). Following their marriage, they settled at Plas Machynlleth and exerted a strong influence on both church and community affairs.
Some internal changes were made to the church in 1844-1846 but in November 1894 the church was reopened following extensive interior alterations which had been financed predominately by Mary Cornelia. The alterations included the extension of the chancel into the nave, two new windows, new choir stalls, new pews and a new organ case.The aisles were laid with black and white Silesian marble.
