The church served as a house of worship though 1852. Annual services were still conducted at the site until 1973, when the church was de-consecrated. Unfortunately in the years after suffered from neglect and vandalism. Graves were disturbed and the church was systematically being dismantled.
At some point, surveys were done and medieval wall-paintings were uncovered, hidden beneath layers of paint. These wall-paintings were found to be of significant historical value, and they and the remains of the church were disassembled and taken to the Welsh Folk Museum, St. Fagan’s.
Then in 1985 a group of people from the University college of Cardiff’s Department of Conservation removed the paintings to be repaired and preserved before being replaced in the re-erected church at the museum. Numerous representations were found in the paintings, including St. Katherine.
The site of St. Teilo’s Church shows little of what made up the grounds. The raised churchyard and some foundations are still evident. There appeared to have been extensive work for varying periods over several hundred years.
The church was formed of a rectangular chancel and nave. Later a south aisle, north chapel and porch were added. Reconstruction was also evident, as suggested by a complete refurbishment of the east chancel wall and addition of Gothic style windows. A second story was apparently lost early on.
The church remains a legacy of history marked only by a few walls and a graveyard. Perhaps someday the church will be fully restored at its original site and re-consecrated so that the faithful may not only worship in the present day, but grow to know the wonder of their past.
Go To Page: 1
