St Blethian's Church, Llanblethian, evidence of C12 and C14 fabric, with tower of 1477. Extensively restored 1896-7, and further restoration to the tower in 1907. Constructed of local stone with slate roofs. Comprises nave, chancel, S chapel with adjacent S porch, W tower. In Decoraetd and Perpendicular styles. Restored late medieval arch braced roof to nave; vaulted crypt to S chapel; medieval tub font in the chancel.

A note in Archaeologia Cambrensis in 1898 records the presence of now destroyed late medieval wallpaintings under the cornice of the north wall of the nave. They included a saw, sword and scourge in red and yellow with drops of blood and dark red roses. The may represent the remains of a "Christ of the Trades" (cf Llangybi, Gumfreston).

Sources include:
CADW listed buildings database
Archaeologia Cambrensis 1898, p. 125 & fig 7.
RCAHMW Wallpaintings Database. 2004.09.14/RCAHMW/SLE
Richard Suggett, Painted Temples: Wallpaintings and Rood-screens in Welsh Churches, 1200–1800, (RCAHMW 2021), pp. 16, 137.

RCAHMW 2021

Site Record

St Blethian's Church, Llanblethian