The parish of Llanfwrog lies to the south and west of the town of Ruthin, and historically was divided into five townships -  Pencoed, Cilygroeslwyd,  Bodyngharad Ucha and Issa, and Stryt. The first four approximated to the area of Llanfwrog Rural, and the latter to that of Llanfwrog Urban, or to that part of the parish within the boundaries of the former Borough of Ruthin. The present population of the parish is about 2,000 and the majority live in the urban area which is the part of the town of Ruthin that lies west of the River Clwyd.

Llanfwrog Church from the air

 

The church was probably founded in the seventh century, and is dedicated to St. Mwrog. Another church in Anglesey is also dedicated to him. His saint's day is probably 24th September, although 15/16th January has also been suggested. A glebe terrier of 1672 (list of church property) refers to Bryn Mwrog, the hill to the north of the church-yard. A further dedication to St. Mary was made in the eleventh century. The church was first recorded in the Norwich Taxation of 1254, when it was valued at one mark (13s. 4d.- 82p) and a tithe or tenth was worth 16d (7p).; according to the Lincoln Taxation of 1291 the value was £4 0s. 10d. (£4.04) and a tithe 8s. 1d. (40p)  

The first named rector was Bleddyn ap David (a Canon of Bangor and St. Asaph Cathedrals) in 1390, but there is a gap in the list of rectors until 1518. The present church was built in the late mediaeval period with later alterations. The windows are late Perpendicular in style; the roof of the south nave dates from the sixteenth century. The architectural style of twin naves is typical of churches in the Vale of Clwyd. The tower is at the western end, and the porch in the south wall. The Early English style doorway on the western side of the tower may have been the original entrance.

 

The architect was John Dando Spedding of Bristol , and a major restoration of the church took place in 1870 during the rectorship of Rev. James Jones. His son. Rev.Basil Jones employed the same architect to restore Llanfair D.C. church in 1872. In Llanfwrog, the north aisle was completely rebuilt with a new roof; new windows were inserted, and the pointed arch leading to the western entrance beneath the tower was opened out. The space beneath the tower was made into a vestry. The chancel was restored, and floored with encaustic tiles; it was divided from the nave by a low screen. Box pews were removed, and open seats were substituted.

The gallery at the west end was also taken down. The lower portion of the gallery dated 1693, is sited near the vestry door and was noted in the Ancient Monuments survey in 1911. The old oak roof was repaired and raised eighteen inches. Two memorial windows in the east wall were placed by Lavers and Barrand; one to Robert and Sarah Ellis of Plas Newydd, Mwrog Street by R. Gregson Ellis (the same family who owned the former Ellis' Mineral Water Works in Mwrog Street which was situated where the Maes Ffynnon housing estate now stands); the other window was in the memory of Elizabeth Williams of Merllyn who died in 1855. The cost of the restoration was £1,300 and the main subscribers were Lord Bagot of " Pool Park , Cornwallis-West of Ruthin Castle , R. Gregson Ellis and the vicar of Llanfair D.C.

When the church was re-opened on 24th June 1870 , it was the occasion of the first sermon preached in Welsh by the new Bishop of St.Asaph, Joshua Hughes. The tower was further restored in 1906 at a cost of £600. Part of the old gallery and the original door of the church were added to two houses in Mwrog Street .

 

By the end of the 20th century, the needs of the worshipping community had become very different from those of the 19th century. The late 19th/early 20th century was an age when people came to church to listen to hour long sermons and were expected to sit still during the long services !  For this reason the 1870 restoration provided fixed wooden pews in every available space  which gave a somewhat cluttered appearance. 

The re-ordering of 1999 prepared the church for the new millennium. Several pews were removed to create more space and the portion off the screen in the south nave was re-located to the back of the north nave to form a boundary for the new extended vestry and meeting room.  The early 20th century font was removed as it restricted the access space to the organ.  The original font was brought into use again and located at the front of the north nave. The pews removed from this area released the space to provide for a spacious baptistery and an area for quiet prayer.  

Church congregations of the present age, unlike those of 100 years ago, like to gather and talk over a cup of coffee after the services. The spaces created at the font and back of the church enable this to happen.  The vestry was enlarged and extended into the south nave to provide a clergy vestry, a choir vestry/meeting room, facilites make making light refreshments and a toilet facility.  The vestibule (or additional porch) was removed as it served no other purpose than to take up much needed space.   

The overall effect of the re-ordering has given the church a more open appearance  but at the same time an atmosphere of togetherness.  We have tried to retain the best features of the old medieval church while at the same time making the building provide for the needs of 21st century worshippers adn visitors.  The church was re-consecrated on 7th November 1999 by the Bishop of St.Asaph, the Rt.Rev'd.John Stewart Davies who was enthroned as Bishop in St.Asaph Cathedral the previous day, so the re-consecration of Llanfwrog Church was the Bishop's first episcopal duty in the Diocese.

Bells: There were four inscribed (i) 'Sancte Georgi orapro nobis" - (ii) 'Brianus Eldridge me fecit, 1627" - (iii) 'Gloria in excelsis. Dec. 1624. W.C.' - (iv) 'Noe more ex dono miserei mei peccatoris, 1691'. The oldest was restored by John Taylor & Co., of Loughborough in 1883 at the expense of J. T. King of Bodyngharad.

Organ: The organ was dedicated on 19th April  1900. and  supplied by  Messrs. Norman and Beard of Norwich and London at a cost of  £315, raised by 'subscription. It was described in the local newspaper  as 'possessing a very sweet and powerful tone'  and as 'being a two manual instrument". The organ is  situated near the south door. Following storm damage to the roof which caused rainwater to leak into the organ, it was reconditioned in 1998. 

Font: The original font of sandstone which dates from mediaeval times was restored to use during the 1999 re-ordering.  A new font was provided by the Rector, Rev. J. F. Reece in memory of his wife Margaret Mary Reece (the teacher of the Sunday School) who died in 1899. The upper part of the font is made of Runcorn stone, 'beautifully carved', and resting on four marble pillars. Underneath on a brass plate is the memorial dedication to Mrs. Reece. This font is now in storage following the restoration of the original font.  

Lectern: The brass eagle lectern is inscribed 'Ad dei gloriam et in delectissimi Joseph Peers memoriam D.D. R.P. 1884'. It was presented in memory of Joseph Peers (1800-84) formerly of Plas Newydd, Mwrog Street and clerk of the peace for Denbighshire (1833-83). The presentation was made by his niece, Mrs. Powell of Aspatria Vicarage, near Carlisle . Peers had his solicitor's offices at 5, Castle Street , Ruthin, and the other memorial to him in Ruthin  is the clock tower in St. Peter's Square.  

Pulpit: A new pulpit was installed in 1874, made probably by local craftsmen, but the present one dates from 1929.  

Altar: The present altar probably dates from the restoration of the church in 1870 and the old oak altar, dated 1772, is now used as the vestry table.  In accordance with current liturgical practice, the altar was moved forward in 2006 to allow westward facing celebration.  

Litany Desk: This was made in 1918 by Jones and Willis and presented by Rev. Thomas Pritchard in memory of his wife Jennie, who died 9th March 1915 .  

Sacrarium Chairs: One is dated 1915 and is also in memory of Mrs. Pritchard. The other two were dated 1911 and 1920.

Screen: This was given in 1952 in memory of Mrs. Williams of Glenora, Ruthin who died in 1939, by her husband William Williams, who died in 1955. They were the parents of the late Stanley Williams.  The screen, in two sections, was originally placed dividing the north and south naves from the chancel.  In the 1999 re-ordering, the section of the screen in the south nave was re-located to the back of the church in the north nave to form the boundary with the extended vestry.

Hymn Boards: The one in the choir stalls is in memory of Eleanor Bryan, who died in 1911; the one on the north wall was carved by William Tiplady of Lon Fawr, Ruthin in 1941. It is inscribed 'Gras Duw'.

Altar Rail: This was given in memory of Rev. Thomas Pritchard, by his family.  

War Memorial: is at the east end of the north wall. This commemorates service people from the parish who died in World War 1, World War 2 and commemorates Russell Carlyle who dies in the Falklands War.

Communion plate: The oldest is a silver chalice of 1576, with the mark of a lion passant and bearing the inscription 'Llanvoorog'. A silver credence paten dated 1806, and a flagon of Sheffield plate, dated 1829, were both donated by Rev. Newcome, rector 1804-51. Two glass cruets (silver topped) for the credence table, were given by Miss Evans, formerly of Brynffynnon in 1920. Recently communion plate was given by Miss Molly Clubbe of Liverpool in memory of her parents. A cruet (for wafers) was given in memory of Eleanor Haig Peake by her daughter Mrs. Nora Edwards in 1959.

A Welsh Bible of 1620  is kept in a glass case near the south end of the altar rail and the date 1674 is carved in the panelling  

Memorial Windows: (i) north wall - in memory of the Ellis of Plas Newydd, Mwrog Street; (ii) east wall - in memory of Robert Blezard, Pool Park, (d.1906) presented by his son in 1907; (iii) east window - in memory of the family of Peter Roberts of Penybont, Mwrog Street dedicated c.1882; (iv) south wall - in memory of Elizabeth Williams, died 1855; (v) by the pulpit - in memory of Sarah Jones, died 6th April 1946 , wife of John Philip Jones.

Mural tablets: on north wall:- (i) in memory of Rev. John Jones of Cilygroeslwyd, died 1833; (ii) in memory of William Jones, tanner of Mwrog Street , died 1829; east wall:- (iii) in memory of Thomas Hughes, rector and Master of Ruthin School, died 1766 aged 63; south wall:- (iv) memorial brass in memory of Margaret, wife of Rev. J. F. Reece, (d.1899) given by teachers and scholars of the Sunday school; (v) in memory of Colonel Joseph Peers of Plas Newydd, Mwrog Street, died 1838; west wall:- (vi) in memory of Edward Jones of Pool Park , 1746. Table near font: It was made and given by Mr. Gwilym Vaughan, a former chorister in memory of his parents. 

Vestry Furnishings: The table is the old altar, dated 1772; There are four memorial tablets from the early nineteenth century.  

The bilingual charity boards detailing the bequest of Lady Bagot for the Almshouses formerly in the Vestry are now in their rightful place in the new almshouses.  

There are photographs of the rectors from 1851 to the present and in addition Bishop Joshua Hughes of St. Asaph, (1807-89) and Archdeacon Edward Smart (a native of Llanfwrog). There is the print of Llanfwrog (church and hamlet) in 1794; photographs of the choir in 1910, 1937 and 1964, and 2000  and of members of the, Sunday School during the incumbency of Rev. J.F. Reece.

 

Old churchyard: One of the earliest gravestones is of John Davies of Galchog, dated 1640, and is located between the west lychgate and the bierhouse. The gravestone of 'Dick Nancy' was formerly against the south wall of the church near the east end. He was the eccentric sexton and grave-digger.

The table tomb of the Peers family of Plas Newydd, Mwrog Street, is in the north east corner of the churchyard. Apparently there was an access to this part of the churchyard from the neighbouring house 'Labour in Vain" now called Voel View. A plan of the old churchyard was made in 1976, and gravestone inscriptions were recorded. An inscribed slate in the churchyard wall near the west lychgate is dated 1830 and has the name of the four churchwardens.

New churchyard: The half acre of land was bought from Colonel Cornwallis-West of Ruthin Castle for about £50, and a stone wall, fence, entrance gates and gravel walkways were prepared at a cost of £170. The land was consecrated and opened by the Bishop of St. Asaph in July 1903. At present this "new" churchyard is almost fill and the possibility of any extension is uncertain.

Bierhouse: There is an inscription dated 1835 recording the names of the  rector. Rev. Newcome, four church-wardens and the parish clerk, John Clubbe. Below are the words:- "I feddu daiar arnaw; I fedd o'r diwedd y daw'.

Sundial: It is sited opposite the south porch, dated 1806 and was made by George Davies, Holywell. Lych-gates: The two lych-gates may date from the early nineteenth century; above the east lych-gate (by Voel View) is an extract in Welsh from Hebrews ch.10 v.2. The lychgates were restored in 1999.

Choir: Rev. J. F. Reece (rector 1882-1907) was responsible for the development of a robed choir, and a photograph of 1884 shows twenty choristers including Thomas John Clubbe and John Edwards. The latter was a choirmaster and town bandmaster, lived at 98B Mwrog Street and was the grandfather of the late Oswald Edwards and Douglas Edwards. The church still has a robed choir which sings the services every Sunday. 

The parish has for many years had a branch of the Mothers' Union which continues to thrive. The church Girls Friendly Society: The Society flourished in the interwar and post-war period after which it was discontinued. 

Members of the church meet together for other social functions and discussion groups.  

Churchwardens: Traditionally Llanfwrog has had four wardens; two nominated by the rector, the other two elected by members of the Electoral Roll at the Annual Vestry Meeting.

 

Llanfwrog Institute: Rev. J. F. Reece and leading parishioners decided to open a parish institute for the welfare of working men. The four cottages and gardens, numbered 66-72 Mwrog Street were leased from Dr. Robert William Evans, a surgeon of Wrexham in December 1888 at an annual rent of £10. A red brick building was constructed to replace what the Free Press called 'tumbledown huts - formerly such an eye sore to the whole street'. The opening ceremony took place on 22nd  June 1889 . The institute contained a cocoa room, well lit and well ventilated, and a reading room, stacked with books provided by Colonel Cornwallis-West of Ruthin Castle . It is clear that the institute was intended as an alternative to the local public houses. Entertainments were regularly held at the institute in the early days, especially choral recitals and drama productions. The institute was sold for £550 in 1919 to the the Parochial Church Council of Llanfwrog and used as a meeting place for church and parish events.  The building continued to be used until the mid 1990s by which time its condition had deteriorated and its use was discontinued. After consideration had been given by the Parochial Church Council to the future of the building, it was decided to sell it. It was sold in 2002 and has now been converted to residential dwellings.  

Almshouses: These were also known as Llanfwrog Hospital , and consisted of ten cottages, four for men, and six for women. The charity was endowed by Jane, wife of Lord. In 1996 the Bagot of Pool Park , the major landowner in the parish. £1000 was left in trust in 1695 for the building of cottages and gardens, and the inmates were maintained from the trust and its annual interest.   Since 1697 rents from lands in Cefnypost, Pencraig and Bodgynfel townships in the parishes of Llanfihangel, Betws Gwerful Goch and Gwydd elwern have been used for the maintenance of the charity.  In 1999 the Charity built four new almshouses in Mwrog Street on the site of the former Hafod Farm. The new houses were opened by the Chairman Mrs.Margaret Roberts and dedicated by the Archbishop of Wales on 4th March of that year.  

Sunday School: The Sunday school was first established in a barn in the yard of Ty Gwyn, near the church. The probable date is 1806 and it is claimed that this was the first Church Sunday School in the Vale of Clwyd. Later when the membership increased, the Sunday School was moved to the church vestry beneath the belfry and was immortalised as Ysgol y Clochdy by the local printer, Lewis Jones. About 1844 William Parry of Galchog farm became Superintendent of the Sunday School, and it was due to him and the rector. Archdeacon Newcome, that the school flourished. In the days before a state education service, Sunday schools served the purpose of teaching people to read.

Drill Hall: This building in Borthyn. was opened in the 1890s, and the foundation stones were laid by Mrs. Cornwallis-West, Ruthin Castle and Gregson Ellis, Plas Newydd. It has been used occasionally in the past for church events.

Community Building : In recent years the modern community buildings at the housing centres of Llys Erw and Trem y Foel have been used for church events and when the church was closed for four months during the 1999 re-ordering, worship took place at these centres.  In 2005 a small community building was built at the site of the Hafod Alms Houses, and in 2006 a new sports pavillion and meeting room was opened at the corner of Mwrog Street and Lon Fawr.

 

Church Services: A special service in the 1920s and 1930s used to be the "plygain" or carol service early on Christmas morning with solos and anthems given by the choristers.

In 1884 the Sunday services were at 10.00a.m. and 6.00p.m. (Welsh) and at 11.15a.m. (English) and Sunday school in Borthyn ( 2.15p.m. ). During the week there were services at 7.00p.m. :- Welsh on Wednesdays and English on Fridays.

There used to be children's services on the first Sunday in the month at 2.45p.m. Holy Communion was administered in English on the first Sunday of each month and in Welsh on the second Sunday. The religious census of 1851 shows that on Easter Sunday there were 100 present in the morning and 50 in the afternoon. The yearly average was stated as 120 and 50 respectively. There was space for 50 free pews and 250 others. The Rector claimed that many parishioners attended Ruthin Church nearby. Church service times have been changed many times over the years as the social pattern of the parish has changed. The present service times are 8am and 11 am (English) and also 6pm (Welsh) once a month. Please click here for details of current services.

Amalgamation of Parishes: Some rectors of Llanfwrog, for example Archdeacon Newcome, were also Wardens of St. Peter's, Ruthin. In 1940 Llanfwrog was grouped with Efenechtyd, and in 1984 it was re-grouped with Clocaenog and Cyffylliog when Efenechyd was transferred the parish of Llanfair DC  

Charities: There are a number of charity boards in the vestry with details of bequests to the poor. Llanfwrog parochial charities were those of (i) Griffith Thomas ap Evan (1669); (ii) Rev. Hugh Pugh (1681); (iii) Llanfwrog

Hospital (1695); (iv) Edward Pierce (1779); (v) John Price, Robert Price and William Jones (1732-82) and (vi) Mrs. Georgina Theresa Ella Peacocke (1915). The charities were often distributed in the form of money, clothing or fuel on St. Thomas ' Day (21st December). 

Thomas Hughes and William Parry were successively headmasters of Ruthin School from 1739 to 1785. Richard Newcome (1779-1857) was born at Gresford, and educated at Ruthin School , and Queen's College,  Cambridge. He was Warden of Ruthin and rector of Llanfwrog for forty seven years. He became a Canon of Bangor cathedral in 1821 (until 1859, Llanfwrog and the rest of Dyffryn Clwyd deanery was in Bangor diocese) and Archdeacon of Merioneth in 1834. He wrote the Memoirs of Dean and Bishop Goodman in 1825 and an account of the towns and castles of Ruthin and Denbigh in 1829. James Jones (1804-81) was a native of Llanfihangel Geneu'rglyn in Cardiganshire. He was a scholar at Jesus College, Oxford, gaining a BA and MA. He was second master at Ruthin School from 1836-1846, but is better known for supervising restoration of the church in 1870. His son, Canon Basil Morgan Jones was vicar of Llanfair D.C. for over 50 years. John Francis Reece (d.1939) was very active in the parish. He planned the new institute in 1889, and was responsible for the new organ, new font, new churchyard, and the tower restoration. The choir was also increased significantly. Thomas Pritchard was a prolific author, and his best known books are (i) Yr Eglwys a'r Llyfr Gweddi (1890); (ii) To Rome and Back (1904); (jji) Patriotism and Piety (1904) and (iv) Nodion a Lloffion (1915).

 

The present rectory was built in 1925 on what was formerly the tennis court of Plas Newydd, the building directly opposite. Until that date, various houses had been used as the residence for the rector. Thomas Hughes (the rector, 1755-76) bought Plas Newydd in 1760, and the house remained the property of his wife Margaret until the end of the century. Glebe terriers from 1776 to 1821 do not describe a rectory house belonging to the parish, but we know that the rector from 1804 to 1851, Rev.Richard Newcome was also Warden of St Peter's, Ruthin, and lived at the Old Cloisters. Rev. James Jones used Penlan, Mwrog Street in the 1850s, but Fir Grove (on the Cerrigydrudion road) in the 1870s. Rev. John Francis Reece is recorded as living at 13 Castle Street in the 1880s; Park Road in 1890 and 10 Castle Street (Nantclwyd House) in 1895.

Lewis Jones (1835-1915) He was born the son of John and Margaret Jones of Stryd-y-Cerrig. He was apprenticed to Isaac Clarke, the printer in Well Street , Ruthin, and became a regular competitor and also adjudicator at eisteddfodau. His own printing works were at 2 Clwyd Street , Ruthin, and under the pseudonym Rhuddenfab (son of Ruthin) he was a prolific author. Two books relate to Llanfwrog Church - (i) Adgofion  am Ysgol y Clochdy (1880) about the Sunday School and (ii) Y Cyfaill difyr - yn cynnwys nynodion Dick Nancy about the sexton/gravedigger. Other books included Handbook to Ruthin (1884) and Pobol Od (1909). Isaac Foulkes (1836-1904) He was born the son of Peter and Frances Foulkes of Cwrt Farm. He was a printer in Liverpool , and is probably best known for publishing popular and inexpensive copies of Welsh poetry and   prose. His bardic name was Llyfrbryf (bookworm), and he wrote classical biographies of the Welsh literary and religious figures of his day, such as Daniel Owen of Mold and John Ceiriog Hughes. He founded and was the first editor in 1890 of Y Cymro, the weekly Welsh language newspaper.  

Richard Jones (1798-1877) He was the eccentric sexton and gravedigger, better known as Dick (the son of) Nancy . He was never happier than when in the graveyard constantly digging graves, and he had a coffin especially made and used in his house as a sort of parlour for the storage of food.

Edward Smart (1816-89) A native of Llanfwrog and a student at Jesus College , Oxford , he was rector of Henllan, Denbigh and Northop in succession. He became an Archdeacon and Canon of St. Asaph in 1878. When Joshua Hughes was chosen Bishop of St Asaph in 1870, an apparent hoaxer switched the official photograph for that of Rev.Smart. 

George Bethine Edwards  (1917 - 1995), a native of Llanfwrog parish where he lived all his life, was verger of Llanfwrog Church for many years. His faith in Christ, his love for Llanfwrog Church and his devotion to his duties as verger were an inspiration to all worshippers and visitors to Llanfwrog Church. He made an exception contribution to the life of Llanfwrog Church. He is still greatly missed by all who knew him.  A plaque in the chancel above the choir stalls recalls his memory and the gratitude of the parishioners for his life. 

Parish Records.   The parish records have been deposited in the Denbighshire Record Office, Ruthin.   The most important items are:- parish registers from 1638, glebe terriers 1672-1831;  deeds and papers concerning the glebe 1757-1829; churchwardens accounts from 1703;  overseers' accounts from 1779;  vestry minutes from 1731;  charity papers from 1779.  Facsimile copies of the parish registers have been made available in the vestry.