St Mary's Church, Welshpool, has an eventful history which is reflected in its architecture. Tradition asserts that the first church on this site was founded in the sixth century and dedicated to St. Cynfelyn, but was refounded by Gruffydd ap Powys in the thirteenth century and dedicated to St. May of the Salutation. The refounded church appears to have been a simple rectangular nave with west tower, but only the base of the tower survives. The current nave and north aisle occupy the position of their predecessor.

Since its foundation the church has been damaged by events including Owain Glydwr's rising of 1401 and the fire of 1665, and has undergone several major restorations by such architects as John Billinge and G.E. Street, to whom the majority of the interior can be credited. St. Mary's as it stands today has a varied mix of periods and styles, and is lop-sided, asymmetrical and out of alignment. It is built primarily from local rubble, with interpolations of variously coloured sandstone, and consists of a perpendicular nave with off-centre chancel, plinthed and crenelated tower, two aisles, incorporating a two-storey south porch similar that found at St. Aelhaiarn's Church, Guilsfield (NPRN 163185), and an organ chamber.

Painted features include stones with traces of colour and ‘diaper-work’ found during 1870–1 restoration. The chancel ceiling was painted and gilded, but this has now been lost). There is a carved late Stuart Royal Arms with benefactions a table incorporating the 1778 Royal Arms.

Source:
Cadw Listed Building Record
RCAHMW Inventory Documents
Richard Suggett, Painted Temples: Wallpaintings and Rood-screens in Welsh Churches, 1200–1800, (RCAHMW 2021), pp. 47, 73.

RCAHMW 2022