The church of St Anno might seem like an unassuming church beside the A483 between the Radnorshire villages of Llanbadarn Fynydd and Llanbister, but treasure lies within!
Parking in the nearby layby, the church is approached from the back. A small sign points the way in, though the gateway is almost hidden in the hedge. A path shadowed by trees winds its way around to the front of the church and into the light.
We visited St Anno’s Church on a damp morning in early June. Overcast and threatening rain, it was perhaps not the best day to be exploring, but it was the inside of the church which held my interest.
A church has stood here since at least 1304. By the 1870s the medieval church was in a state of disrepair and was rebuilt in 1877 by David Walker with some of the old masonry being used within the walls. Old memorial wall tablets were restored and a 17th-century box pew was kept as a seat for the churchwardens.
Most importantly, it was decided that the 15th-century rood-screen should be preserved and restored in the new church. This is St Anno’s treasure! The fine timber carving is so intricate and delicate. The rood-loft has twenty-five canopied niches holding biblical figures.
The work could not have been done without the generosity of Mrs H. R. Stephens of Castle Vale, Llananno who paid for the rebuilding and restoration of the church.
Sadly, St Anno’s is no longer used for services, but it is open daily for those who would like to visit. So, if you’re travelling on the A483 (the main North – South road through Wales) between Newtown and Llandrindod Wells, don’t forget to drop by the church at Llananno and take a look inside.
36 Comments
Jo
What a beautiful church and how wonderful that the rood screen was preserved and is still housed within.
DeniseinVA
Wonderful blog post and what an amazing old church! Your photos capture it beautifully. Thanks so much for sharing Nikki!
Nikki
Thank you for your lovely comment and for dropping by!
Lorrie Orr
The carving on the rood screen is really amazing, so intricate and detailed. What a lovely old church to visit.
Barbara Lofgren
What a lovely old church.
tomthebackroadstraveller
…perhaps unassuming from the exterior, but wood cravings and widows in the interior are anything, but unassuming.
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Beautiful church, and the screen is amazing.
somewhereinireland
The church is absolutely beautiful. The woodcarving on the rood screen is stunning. Thanks so much for sharing and have a good week.
Eunice Ratcliffe
A lovely little church and the carving on the rood screen is wonderful, it was certainly worthy of restoration. I like the floor tiles too and the stained glass window is gorgeous 🙂
Carol
I love the wooden screen – magnificent
Kris P
There are so many elaborate signs of the distant past in your part of the world! I suspect it contributes to a respect for the past that I feel people in my part of the world often lack. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, my area was populated by the Tongva tribe of Native Americans. The evidence of their presence dates back at least 7000 years, based on discovery of a single (female) skeleton in the La Brea tar pits. Their lives and culture were mostly eclipsed following the the arrival of a Spanish explorer and the missionaries that followed in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Nikki
Very interesting! Many historical buildings have sadly been lost over the years, in fact we’re currently fighting to save on in our local town from being demolished.
Tootlepedal
I enjoyed this visit. Thank you.
CherryPie
It looks lovely and the history is interesting 🙂
Johanna Bradley
Such a wonderful rood screen, Nikki! I don’t know that I’ve seen better.
Nikki
I don’t think I have either!
Natalie
Amazing woodcarving on the rood-screen. Thank you for sharing this church with us.
Jodie
A beautiful church with lots of history! I love all your photos. Thanks for sharing about it.
Wendy Williams
What a beautiful church and your photos are gorgeous!
Margaret
That is just a beautiful old church, inside and out..thanks for sharing.
Alan Rolfe
What a lovely little church. I like your detailed images.
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Wooow!!! So beautiful! Thank you for giving me a tour of this church! It wouldn’t have been possible without your blog.
Yvonne (@Fiction_Books)
With every new post you share, I become ever more convinced that our next trip away needs to be up in your neck of the woods. You have some amazing places tucked away that I would never have known about if it hadn’t been for your wonderful photographic records.
Thank You! 🙂
Nikki
Do let me know if you decide to visit this neck of the woods!
Ashley
Wow, what an incredible church with some amazing history!
Ashley
That rood screen is incredible. You have managed to capture some fabulous details in the close-up image. I do hope services will continue in the church one day!
Nikki
Thank you!
Kelly
As always, I find these small churches absolutely beautiful. I think the star here is the carving on that rood screen. The details (which all have special meanings!) are excellent.
Ann
What a beautiful and extraordinary church. That rood-screen is simply fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing Nikki! xxx
Anca
The fact that the rood screen is still there is incredible. How did it survive the reformation? That’s a fantastic piece of history. I would love to visit the church.
Nikki
Maybe it’s because it’s such a rural area? Otherwise, I’m not sure.
Lauren
This looks like a beautiful church to experience. You have taken some great photographs. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Lauren.
Nikki
Thank you!
Marty
What a lovely find. It looks like it’s in such great shape, I’m saddened that it’s not a working church anymore. But how wonderful that it obviously has a loyal entity looking after it. Beautiful scenes both in and out.
Angie
Nikki – what a treasure! We have visited many churches in the UK and I don’t think I have ever seen a rood screen like that. I shudder to think that they even contemplated destroying it! Amazing artistry! And thanks for visiting my blog!!!
Ju-Lyn
A charming church with such beautiful wooden reliefs – it’s amazing that it is so well-preserved. You keep it company with your visit (along with other visitors)- too bad it is no longer in use for services.