Open Doors - St Michael and All Angels, Gwernesney

St Michael and All Angels is Grade I listed, and located in the peaceful setting of Llantrisant Fawr, Monmouthshire.

The south doorway, the elements of the lancet windows, and the east window with two trefoil-headed lights, place the building's origins in the 13th or early 14th-century.

The variety of windows creates an interesting architectural collage; small, heavily-eroded carved stone heads project from the west gable; the rood-beam and screen at the chancel arch dominate the interior; the 15th-century rood-beam retains a foliate trail of carved decoration.

The wagon roof is panelled with moulded ribs and dates to the 15th-century.

The church of St Michael and Angels, Gwernesney, which came into the care of The Friends of Friendless Churches in late 2017, is now open for visitors. Gwernesney (‘Gwernesni’) translates as the parish of the alders, named after the alder trees (‘gwern’) that once grew there in great abundance. 

The church is 13th century in origin, with an evocative 15th century wagon roof and rood-beam.

Urgent repairs have recently been completed – upgrading the rainwater and drainage system and rebuilding the window masonry. More repairs will be needed eventually, but the building is now open for all to enjoy!

Address - Chepstow Road, Usk, Gwernesney, Monmouthshire, NP15 1HE.

Directions - take the M4 to Monmouthshire; take exit 2 from M48; drive to B4235; Gwernesney is signposted.

This historic building has a stepped entrance.