History

Late C18 Roman Catholic church possibly converted from a barn or perhaps built c1790 to look like an outbuilding. The Jones family of Llanarth were an ancient Catholic family and maintained a priest at Llanarth from 1781. The church is one of the oldest RC churches in Wales.

Exterior

Roman Catholic church, whitewashed roughcast with hipped slate roof. Single long range running N-S with raised plinth and rusticated stucco angle piers. S end porch, N end apse and E side small projecting vestry. W side has six large arched windows, the left one with slightly higher sill. Curved apse has 2 smaller arched windows. E side is mostly windowless with same angle piers. Added vestry has E bellcote, rusticated angle piers, N door and arched windows each side. One small arched gallery light to main church wall left. S end hipped porch with arched E side window and S double door

Interior

Fine interior with S end gallery, N end apsed sanctuary screened by 2 Roman Doric columns in antis. Cornice all around with deep cove to ceiling. Two plain plaster roundels to ceiling centre. E wall has vestry door towards left, large statue niche right of door. Dado rail each side up to niche and corresponding window opposite. The ornate Italian altar formerly in the sanctuary has been removed. S end bow-fronted gallery on Roman Doric columns and piers, front of 2-2-2 panels with fluted pilasters between. In apse 2 fine Arts and Crafts style stained glass windows to Elydyr Herbert killed 1917 and Ivor Herbert, Lord Treowen (d 1933), of SS Bernard and Francis. In S wall 5 windows with C17 and perhaps C16 continental stained glass, probably Rhineland or Flemish in origin, put in in later C19. First has 1659 date and has 8 small panels in grisaille and inscription ?K. Immendorpff. Second head of saint, probably St James, under canopy, 3rd has St John with dragon in chalice, 4th C17 scene of the Presentation, wood-engraving style with colour and gold grounds, 5th with a saint and Christ blessing above. Sixth window has C20 glass to Ladt Treowen (d 1939), Christ and St Teresa.
Plaques to J.A.E. Herbert (d 1895), Lt Col Bleiddian Herbert (d 1931), Sir John Arthur Herbert (d 1945), Governor of Bengal 1939-43, Cecile Herbert of Clytha (d 1941), Brig-Gen. E.A. Herbert of Moynes Court (d 1948), and Mrs Fflorens Roch (d 1969).
Vestry has small plaster cornice, wall cupboards each side of N window, and Swindow C20 stained glass of St David, made at Caldey Abbey, conventional C15 style. Entrance lobby has 6-panel door, stone flag floor and gallery stairs, with stick balusters and ramped rail. E side window has stained glass of St Michael, to Arthur Herbert d 1921. W wall alabaster war memorial plaque.

Reasons for Listing

Graded II* as a very rare survival of a late C18 Roman Catholic Chapel retaining its original character intact. Fine interior detail. Historically important as one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in Wales.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Church of St Mary and St Michael, Llanarth at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17743807

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover