medieval church near north wales originally chapel ease parish church township served longer exists declared redundant church early 1990s care services held month year date church unknown oldest parts 12th century chancel rebuilt 16th century chapel added 17th century church pulpit communion rails added 18th century modern replacements vandalism grade listed building national designation given buildings exceptional usually national interest rare example virtually medieval church simple character history location mary church rural populated kilometres northeast kilometres southwest stands low mound approximately yards wall churchyard contains follows shape mound extent original purpose serve ease local parish church miles north closed township mary served disappeared time houses date foundation church unknown nave oldest church possibly built 12th century later changes saw rebuilding chancel late 16th century addition chapel south building 17th century services early 1990s redundant church placed care hold year lease effective november services held church sunday afternoon month october architecture fittings church constructed rubble masonry boulder floor laid roof modern nave measures feet chancel measures feet inches feet chapel adjoining chancel south feet nave chancel pointed arch 13th century elements probably reconstructed 16th century chapel rectangular windows east west walls 17th century narrow stone bench runs west south walls chapel roof date 15th 17th centuries visible inside building rectangular windows north wall nave 20th century additions matching window north wall chancel east window chancel rounded lights set square frame dates 16th century windows clear glass boarded windows south exposed roof west end nave entrance west end rounded arch doorway set deep thick wall possibly dating 14th century 12th century font removed church redundant nearby church church houses 15th century octagonal font positioned octagonal stem communion rails dated simple design pulpit 18th century panels stone benches north south walls nave dated 18th century stolen church redundant replacements local restoration project carried assessment national recognition statutory protection alteration designated grade listed building highest grade listing designating buildings exceptional usually national interest fewer listed buildings wales category given status april rare example virtually medieval church simple character welsh assembly government body responsible built heritage wales inclusion welsh buildings statutory lists note reason listing retention complete set 18th century fittings including simple benches comment 1990s vandalism modern guide buildings region comments vernacular character country buildings survives scarcely churches 19th century writer took different view building calling small interest
St Mary's Church, Tal-y-llyn