Llandeloy, St Eloi

Near St David's, Pembrokeshire

OS: SM 857 266

Taken on by the Friends of Friendless Churches following its closure in 2002, St Eloi is a rare example of a surviving Arts and Crafts-influenced church by the architect John Coates Carter. The church was re-invented from fragmentary medieval ruins in 1926-7 and is characteristic of the architect's later work in its use of indigenous materials and identifiably Welsh vernacular motifs.

St Eloi's is a simple, two-cell, building with a humble exterior, but a beautiful and evocative interior. Adhering to SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) conservation principles the architect has restored the building to a pre-Reformation framework. The space is dominated by the splendid rood loft, carved screen and simple pulpit, all standing against the west face of the medieval screen wall. Both fonts are of stone; one is preserved in situ, being built up from a few ancient stones discovered during excavation, the other - an octagonal one - stands on three rough steps that are for the most part medieval, described as 'perfect' when uncovered. There is a delightful stoup and two matching piscinas carved from grey slate. The reredos is one of a group of similar painted dossals that Coates Carter designed for churches in Pembrokeshire - a rectangular wooden panel, painted with gesso and coloured with tempera, in a moulded frame crowned with elaborately carved cresting which incorporates some of the architect's 'hook' sub-cusping. In contrast to all this care and expense, the open-backed bench pews could scarcely be more humble, or more appropriate.

The Friends are proud to be able to conserve this precious Welsh document of Arts and Crafts ecclesiology, design and craftsmanship.

(This description is taken from a full history of the church, by Phil Thomas, published in the Transactions of our sister charity, the Ancient Monuments Society, Vol. 45, 2001 and available to order from their website.)

Please note:Do not go up the stairs leading to the rood screen, and when you go outside do look out for the "holy well" which can become overgrown (the churchyard is not the responsibility of the Friends).

If you would like to visit the church and need details of keyholders, directions etc, please telephone our office on: 020 7236 3934.

Friends of Friendless Churches is a company limited by guarantee
Company No: 1119137, registered in England.
Registered Office: St Ann's Vestry Hall, 2 Church Entry, London EC4V 5HB.
Registered Charity No: 1113097.