Church of St Martin, Cwmyoy

The Church of St Martin in Cwmyoy was begun in the 12th century, and as it now exists most of the building dates to the 13th century. The church is in the Gothic style, and has a chancel, nave, south porch, and western tower. A round-headed north window dates to the 12th century, and the nave roof has been dated to the late 13th or early 14th century.[1]

A stone medieval cross in the church is said to have been a landmark along the pilgrimage route to St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The church is a Grade I listed building.[2]

The underlying geology is of Old Red Sandstone overlying marl, and processes of slippage and subsidence over the centuries have caused the tower and chancel to move in opposite directions, twisting the entire structure. To strengthen the church walls and prevent its collapse, additional support has been provided by massive tie beams and buttresses.

The church's windows are 16th century and the communion rails date to the 17th century. The six bells in the tower date to 1672. A number of 18th and 19th century funeral monuments within the church were constructed by three generations of the Brute family of the distant village of Llanbedr, near Crickhowell, Powys. The church was restored in the Victorian era in 1885–89 by J. James Spencer, who did not attempt to straighten the building.[1]

Bells

The belfry contains 6 bells, but are unplayable as one or more of the bells are cracked or broken and the tower is unsafe.[3]

Churchyard

Amongst the gravestones, a modern example consisting of a roughly hewn purple slate pillar is notable. This is located close to the north-west corner of the church, and marks the resting place of the racing driver Arthur Denys Gill (1926–2008), who farmed nearby after retirement from the sport.[4][5]

References

  1. 1 2 Newman, John; Lynch, Frances; Manning, William; Hughes, Stephen (2002). "Cwmyoy/Cwm-iau". Gwent/Monmouthshire. Pevsner Architectural Guides (The Buildings of Wales). New Haven & London: Yale University Press. pp. 208–209. ISBN 978-0-300-09630-9. OCLC 45327986.
  2. ↑ Good Stuff IT Services (1956-09-01). "Church of St Martin – Crucorney – Monmouthshire – Wales". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  3. ↑ Baldwin, John (3 February 2016). "Cwmyoy St Martin". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Central Council for Church Bell Ringers. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  4. ↑ Historic Racing.com
  5. ↑ The 500 Owners Association

Coordinates: 51°54′15″N 3°01′13″W / 51.9043°N 3.0203°W / 51.9043; -3.0203

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