Open Doors - St Anno, Llananno

St Anno’s church first appears in recorded history in 1304, when it is mentioned as Thlananno. 

Whether or not Llananno was originally a parish church is doubtful; it is recorded in the 16th century as annexed to the parish of Llanbister and was probably originally a chapel-of-ease with rights of baptism and burial. The earliest surviving evidence of a former building on this site is the octagonal font of plain, simple design, which has been dated to the 15th century. Walker replaced the box-pews with uniform, open-backed benches. The splendid churchwarden’s pew, with the carved inscription David Lewis, Church Warden, 1681, now in the north-west corner of the nave, and converted into a small vestry, is the only survivor of an earlier seating arrangement. 

From the outside, it is a simple, symmetrical structure of grey limestone, yet within is one of the great treasures of Welsh craftsmanship. The rood screen and loft of c.1500 burst with life: the bressumer trails with vines, pomegranates and water-plant issuing from the mouth of a wyvern. The vines symbolise Christ. The popular pomegranate motif represents eternal life, although, in this work, it carries additional significance as the emblem of Katherine of Aragon. The thirty-four coving panels are decorated with seventeen different designs, creating a somewhat restless pattern. The tracery heads, again with differing designs, hang like delicate lace. It is generally accepted that the screen and loft are the work of the Newtown school of carvers, who were, as the other surviving examples at Llanwnog and Newtown itself bear witness, capable of producing exquisite and intricate work. 

Self-guided visits.

LD1 6TN.

Directions: Take the A483 north from Llanbister. After half a mile, the church is on your right; adjacent to the road but can be difficult to spot. Parking is limited in lay-by. Access to churchyard gate through field; ground can be uneven. Please watch out for livestock, and close gates.