The church was built in the late 15th century, possibly in the 1470s.[2] The Gwydir Chapel was added in 1633–34 by Richard Wynn of Gwydir. The west tower was added in the early 19th century, replacing a bellcote.[3] In 1884 the Lancaster architects Paley and Austinrestored the church and added a north aisle. They also removed the west gallery, and reseated the church, increasing its capacity to 362. The cost of their work amounted to £2,300 (equivalent to £300,000 in 2023).[4][5]
In 2019/2020 a major restoration and reordering project funded largely by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and designed by Paterson Macaulay and Owens Architects, saw a new mezzanine gallery, kitchen and toilet facilities installed.[6][better source needed] The project also included conservation work to Gwydir Chapel, artefacts such as the monumental brasses, stone plaques and restoration to the building fabric in general.[citation needed] Other works included a new limestone floor with underfloor heating, new lighting scheme and sound system.[citation needed] The church is now used for a variety of different events, as well as church services.[citation needed]
Architecture
Exterior
St Grwst's is constructed in rubble stone with limestone dressings.[2] Its architectural style is Perpendicular.[3] The plan consists of a nave and chancel in a single range, a north aisle, a south porch, the Gwydir Chapel at the southeast corner, and a west tower. The tower is in three stages, with diagonal buttresses, and a castellatedparapet. The Gwydir Chapel also has a castellated parapet. Both the chapel and the nave have four-light east windows.[2]
1830, Engraving
St Grwst 2007
St Grwst 2007
Interior before 2019 reordering
Interior
Inside the church is a north arcade of three bays, carried on octagonal piers. The rood screen is still present, and has retained its loft. It is considered to be one of the finest in Wales.[2] It has twelve bays, with a central doorway. Its tracery is elaborately carved with a vine-trail rail, and depictions of such subjects as the Instruments of the Passion and pigs eating acorns.[2] The font has a "bowl of weird organic forms".[3] Also in the church are painted Royal arms dating from before 1801.[3] The Gwydir Chapel contains 17th-century fittings and fixtures, including stalls, a lectern and a communion table.[2] There are also numerous monuments and a 13th-century stone coffin; the latter is said to be that of Llywelyn the Great. The monuments which date from about 1440 to the 17th century, include those of Sir John Wynn, who died in 1627, and other members of the Wynn family.[3]
^Brandwood, Geoff; Austin, Tim; Hughes, John; Price, James (2012), The Architecture of Sharpe, Paley and Austin, Swindon: English Heritage, p. 235, ISBN978-1-84802-049-8
