Open Doors - St Dogmael's, Meline

Meline’s Church, dedicated to the obscure Saint Dogmael or Dogfael, is an exercise in High Victorian geometry with minimal extraneous detail. The church was built by Robert Jewell Withers in 1864 and commissioned by the Gothic romanticist, Sir Thomas Davies Lloyd of Bronwydd in Ceredigion.

There is only one stained glass window: the lancet behind the altar, a Crucifixion with SS Mary and John, in vivid colours, by Lavers & Barraud of 1865. Other furnishings include pine pews with shaped ends, a pulpit with vessica-shaped panels, stalls, communion rails, lectern and a communion table. In the sanctuary, the reredos is of painted ashlar, with inset best quality five-colour tiled panels. The octagonal ashlar font is also by Withers. The vestry, to the north of the chancel, contains a diagonally set fireplace and aumbry.

Unusually, the church is devoid of memorials. However, the walls display other interesting artefacts from the church’s remodel, including a plan of the new church, and a standard ICBS board recording a grant of £75, on condition that the 77 seats at the least were free. You may also spot a SPCK Welsh Bible (1858), Book of Common Prayer, and an Illustrated Welsh Bible, with commentary by Owen Jones.

Self-guided visits; information leaflets provided.

Address: Off A487, Meline, Velindre, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, SA41 3PX.

Please note that St Dogmael’s and Meline aren’t displayed on Google Maps.