Architectural History

our historic church also holds a well-kept secret, Architectural History with its little-known but strong connections to two major literary scholars The origin of St Michael’s church is unknown, but we think it is early medieval due to it’s position beside the River Alwen and the curvature of the churchyard. The Norwich Taxation of 1254 OWAIN MYFYR makes reference to the church as ’Ecc’a de lanwihangel’, so we 1741—1814 know that the church is at least 13th century. A native of this village, Owen Jones was known by the bardic name Owain Myfyr. He The church has undergone a number of restorations since it was moved to London as a young man, and was first built, mainly due to a major flood that hit the village in 1781. apprenticed to a furrier. By the 1780s he The flood level rose to a height of more than 8ft inside the church, owned his own business and had amassed a sweeping away the east window and wall as the powerful waters large fortune. receded. A stone plaque to the left of the pulpit In the late 18th century, he co-founded the ‘Gwyneddigion marks the line of the flood. Society’, a London-Welsh society dedicated to encouraging the literary life of Wales, which provided the blueprint of the In 1853 the bellcote, east window and west end of the church were competitive Eisteddfod familiar to us today. rebuilt. It is thought that the south porch may also have been added at this time. In 1789 the work of Dafydd ap Gwilym was published, with Owain Myfyr as one of the editors. Further restoration work took place in the He went on to finance the research and publication early 20th century, and if you look up to of three substantial volumes, ‘The Myvyrian the church roof you will see the date, Archaiology of Wales’ (1801-1807). ‘1900’ imprinted with patterned slates. Much of the literary activity of this period would not have been The plans submitted at that time were possible but for the generosity of Owain Myfyr, who financially found in 2010, and revealed that the supported all kinds of movements, and poets and writers of church used to have a back door and a Wales. He is considered one of the most important patrons of fourth window, which must have been his time, and his manuscripts and papers are in the British removed when the east and west walls Museum. Owain Myfyr’s gravestone can be found in the porch, were demolished and rebuilt. at the entrance to the church. William Wordsworth Notable English Romantic Poet, William St Michael’s Church Wordsworth, visited Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr in 1824, to stay with his friend Robert Jones Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr who was living at The Parsonage. Rural Conwy As Robert Jones was a Rector, it is likely that Wordsworth visited St Michael’s Church during his stay in the village. Wordsworth was so inspired by the landscape, he penned the poem ‘Vale of Meditation’, which takes its title from the English translation of ‘Glyn Myfyr’ (the name of our village), and makes reference to Robert Jones’ life here. Vale of Meditation (an extract) A STREAM, to mingle with your favourite Dee, Along the VALE OF MEDITATION flows; So styled by those fierce Britons, pleased to see In Nature's face the expression of repose; Or haply there some pious hermit chose To live and die, the peace of heaven his aim; To whom the wild sequestered region owes St Michael’s is a beautiful 13th century church At this late day, its sanctifying name.... which nestles quietly alongside the banks of the St Michael’s Church is a member of Conwy County Borough Council’s Sacred Doorways River Alwen, in a picturesque landscape that has Project, a church tourism initiative aiming to improve the sustainability of churches and chapels throughout rural Conwy inspired writers and poets for centuries .

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