Church of St Paul, Bryncoed-ifor, Merionethshire
In 1846 Henry Kennedy of Bangor prepared drawings for a proposed new church with nave, chancel and south aisle in a restrained Early English stye at this location, Plans and elevations dated April 1846 were submitted to the ICBS but the grant was rejected. No plan exists in the ICBS archive and copies have yet to be found elsewhere. The Listing Notice and Coflien (2014) continue to attribute this church to Henry Kennedy. However, contemporary newspaper reports indicate that R K Penson was responsible for the church as built in 1849-1851 at the expense of Marianne Catherine Richards of Eaton Square, London.
The building is constructed of rubble with sandstone dressings and steeply-pitched slate roofs with decorative ridge-tiles. Its plan comprises a five-bay aisless nave with step-down chancel, a steeply-gabled south porch and contemporary vestry on the north. Notable interior features are said to include an early twentieth-century rood screen and pulpit in Arts and Crafts Perpendicular style. The stained glass includes: ‘The Crucifixion,’ c1850; ‘St Paul’ c1850 John Hardman to design of AWN Pugin; east window ‘Christ in Majesty with Saints and Angels’, c1895, By Clayton & Bell; ‘Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane’ c1895, Clayton & Bell. The bell was cast in 1849.
New Church in the Parish of Dolgellau. TO BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS. PARTIES willing to Contract for the ERECTION of a NEW CHURCH at BRYNCOED- IFOR, in the Parish of Dolgellau, may see the Plans and Specifications any day after the 27th of JANUARY, by applying to Francis Hallowes, Esq., National Bank, Dolgellau. Tenders to be delivered on or before the 15th day of FEBRUARY, to the Rev. H. W. WHITE, Incumbent of the Parish. Any further particulars may be ascertained by application to Mr. R. KYRKE PENSON, Architect, 0swestry. The Incumbent does not bind himself to accept the lowest or any other Tender. [Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald 3 February 1849 page 1] [Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald 30 January 1849 page 2]
DOLGELLEY.—Consecration of a New Church.- The late Robert Vaughan Richards, Esq., had often, at the latter period of his life, expressed intention of building and endowing a church, for the accommodation of the church-going inhabitants of the upper part of his native parish of Dolgelley; but the suddenness of his death prevented those intentions from being carried out, or his making the requisite provisions. His only child, now married to the Spanish General Cabrara, however, determined that her father's benevolent object should not remain unaccomplished, and accordingly gave a sum sufficient for the purpose. The spot selected is about five miles from the town, on the Bala road, and is situated on Bryncoedifor farm, the property of Sir R. W. Vaughan, who, free of charge, granted enough land for the church and a burial ground. It commands a splendid view of the valley in the eastern and western directions. The church, which is in the gothic style, was erected under the direction of Mr. Kyrke Penson, architect, Oswestry. Wednesday, the 1st instant, was fixed upon as the day for the consecration [by the Bishop of Bangor} to take place. [Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald 4 October 1851 page 5]
Robert Vaughan Richards Q.C. a member of the Inner Temple died in 1846. Marrianne Catherine Richards, only child and heiress of Robert Vaughan Richards, married General Raymon Cabrera, Comte de Morella on 29 May 1850. At the time of her marriage her income was estimated at £25,000 per annum. [Observer 3 June 1850 page 6 and 8]
