| St Cadfan's Church (Tywyn) | |
|---|---|
 St Cadfan's Church | |
 | |
| 52°35′17″N4°05′07″W / 52.5880°N 4.0853°W | |
| Location | Tywyn, Gwynedd |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Anglican (Church in Wales) |
| Previous denomination | Catholic Church (ended mid-16th century) |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | Saint Cadfan |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Medieval masons |
| Style | Romanesque Architecture |
| Administration | |
| Province | Wales |
| Diocese | Diocese of Bangor |
| Archdeaconry | Meirionnydd |
| Deanery | Ystumaner |
| Parish | Tywyn |
St Cadfan's Church (Welsh : Eglwys Cadfan) is situated in Tywyn in the county of Gwynedd, formerly Merionethshire, Wales. It is dedicated to Saint Cadfan, who founded a clas (ecclesiastical settlement) at Tywyn in the 6th century.
The church is noted for its Romanesque architecture and for housing the Cadfan Stone, a stone cross dating from ninth century or earlier which is inscribed with the oldest known written Welsh.
Brut y Tywysogion states that the church was sacked by Vikings in 963, and during the twelfth century it was the subject of a memorable poem by Llywelyn Fardd (I). The earliest parts of the building date to the twelfth century, and it originally had a central tower, although this fell down in 1693. [1]
The church houses two fourteenth-century monuments. One of the effigies is of an unknown priest in full Eucharistic vestments. The other is a military figure thought to be Gruffudd ab Adda (d. c. 1350) of Dôl-goch and Ynysymaengwyn. The effigy is known as the 'Crying Knight' due to a flaw in the stone at his right eye which becomes damp during wet weather, giving the impression of weeping. [2]
The vicarage, which was built in the early 19th century, still stands on National Street. It is now a private house called 'Tŷ Cadfan Sant'. [3] National Street (formerly Duck Street) was named after the National School, later Towyn Church School, which was once located on the street.
