Contents 

Crunwere Parish

Crunwere Parish Representative -  John Lewis-Tunster, Beech Lea, Trelessy Lane, Llanteg, 01834 831395.

Crunwere Church - Closure of Building

Copyright - J.P.Elliott-Hunt

Crunwere Church has unfortunately had to close owing to it being deemed unsafe by the insurers. Due to the very high cost of repairs that are now needed, the PCC has requested the Bishop that the church be made redundant.   When this process is completed, the responsibility for the church building will pass to the Representative Body of the Church in Wales. More concrete information regarding the church and its artifacts will be added as and when available. July 2009 - church declared redundant.  A final open-air service was held on 2nd August 2009. Graveyard still open.

Churchyard Still Open 

Church Questionnaires December 2007

Our thanks to all those who distributed and responded to the questionnaire sent out in December.
We were very grateful to those who returned the questionnaire and the agreement of the Village Hall Committee for us to explore those ideas based on the hall.
The feedback received has been of great help to the PCC in considering the nature of the future church presence in the parish.
Of the 161 questionnaires distributed 15 were returned. Several felt it was not viable to maintain a dedicated place of worship, whilst those who wished to see a place of worship continue mostly wanted to see something centred on the Village Hall rather than considering another building.
Taking into consideration these views and the level of support indicated by the return numbers, the PCC has decided it is not realistic to consider providing a new place of worship.
The process of formally making St Elidyr’s Church redundant will carry on.  The churchyard will remain open irrespective of the redundancy process.

Revd Sarah Geach - Priest in Charge

Copyright - J.P.Elliott-Hunt

Cremated Remains Garden at St Elidyr's Church Crunwere

A new Cremated Remains section has just been completed in Crunwere churchyard at the end of February, 2008.

To avoid slowing this page down further with photographs, pictures of the Garden are on our Message Board at:-

http://www.llanteg-village.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=147&sid=63a7831f77ec3c65386dd262c2009497

Extracts from - St Elidyr Crunwere – A Historical Note

by Charles F.Shepherd, published 1933, reprinted 1988

Mr Shepherd published the only booklet on Crunwere parish until the History Society was formed in 1999.
Crunwere Church
‘The book of Llan Dav* has two references to this parish, which was called in olden days Llancronwern, and from the evidence its proper name should doubtless be Cronwern.  In this book, too, is to be found the earliest extant notice of the parish.  It mentions a stream, the ‘Rhath’, which flows near the church and forms the boundary between Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire….The stream is shown on Professor Rees’ Map of South Wales in the Fourteenth Century as Cronwern Brook.
The church is dedicated to St Elidyr.  There are four churches in Pembrokeshire dedicated in honour of this saint: Crunwere, Amroth, Ludchurch and Stackpole Elidor.  Fenton, in his Tours Through Pembrokeshire, states that these churcheswere founded and endowed by Sir Elidwr de Stackpool.  In an early charter, mention is made of Crunwere as being given to St Teilo of Llandaff, and the Episcopal registers of 1486 give it as the parish church of St Teilo.  It is quite possible, too, that Elidyr is but a scribe’s error in writing “Eliud”, which was another name for Teilo.
The church was in ruins in the early part of the nineteenth century.  It was rebuilt in 1843, and restored in 1878 at a cost of £516.  The tower is of the usual Pembrokeshire type.  Four additional windows were added (to the church) which greatly improved the lighting.
During the restoration, the old gallery was removed, as were also the box pews.
The East window is of three parts, depicting in the centre the Crucifixion, on the left the Ascension, and on the right the Resurrection.
The chalice is Elizabethan, and is of the Amroth type, its ornamentation corresponding exactly with that of the Amroth chalice.  There is the usual band of decorated strapwork round the bowl, and this enlcosed the following inscription:

+POCVLVM*ECLESIE*DE*CROVNWARE

Underneath the foot is roughly scratched:

E..de.Cronwer 8½oz

This would include the weight of the paten cover, which has been lost.  The only mark is that of the makers, a provincial mark that is found on much of the church plate of Pembrokeshire.  The date, according to this mark, is put at 1574-87.  Besides this there is another chalice, a paten, and a flagon, al of plated metal.
The church register dates from 1725.
This rectory originally formed part of the possessions of Pembroke Priory, and afterwards was granted by the King, together with other property of that Priory, to the Abbbey of St Albans.  By A.D. 1594 it had come into the hands of the Crown.
Vicars
Simon Johan and Richard Portyn were presented by the King by reason of Pembroke Proiry,being in his hands on account of thewar with France.  Griffin Lloid signed the abjuration of the Papal authority in 1534.  He was presented to the living by the Abbot of St Albans.
From Nicholas Nicols till 1886 the living was in the gift of the Crown, when at the latter date it devolved upon the Lord Chancelor.  At the Dissestablishment, itbecaome the gift of the Bishop of St Davids and the Board of Patronage.
Schools
‘The Abstract of Education Returns 1833:
…One Sunday School, consisting of 40 males and females, is supported by voluntary contributions, commenced in 1823.
Weddings
Years ago the old custom of issuing bidding notices to weddings was in vogue in this parish.  To-day the custom does not exist, but the interesting one of roping the bride and groom as they leave the church is still to be seen.

‘Yet the old church still stands as a witness as it did in days gone by.  Round it are centred memories that will be forever green, and here will worship the descendants of those who, too, have followed in their fathers’ footsteps.’

* It is believed that the Book of Llandaff (Liber Landavensis), was written between 1120 and 1140.  It is one of Wales’s earliest ecclesiastical manuscripts and is of considerable bulk, comprising 128 vellum pages.  The Book is held at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, and a digitised version is on view on their website.

Gravestone Survey 2006/2007

Copyright - John Ball

The survey consisted of a photograph of each grave (296 in total in the parish church and two chapels). We then made out a sheet for each grave and used codes (taken from Harold Mytum's book) to categorise the styles of gravestone. We also collected the verses off the stones.

The names and dates of those buried had been collected previously and published in our Burial Booklet.

One copy of the survey has been sent to Harold Mytum of Liverpool University as he is doing research into Pembrokeshire gravestone styles.

Another will shortly be deposited at the Record Office, Haverfordwest.

We will be keeping the original photographs and one copy for the History Society.

We will also be giving copies of the relevent sections to Rev'd Geach (for Crunwere Church), Amroth Community Council (for Mountain Chapel) and E.C.Thomas & Sons (for Zoar Chapel of Rest).

Thanks to Ruth and Andy Webb, who, together with John Lewis-Tunster, took all the photographs and also to Ruth Webb who collected the verses off the gravestones. Ruth Roberts put the files together and stuck in all the photographs (which were all ordered via Kodak over the internet and delivered very promptly).

Ruth and Andy managed to decipher some gravestones that we had previously marked as ‘illegible’ in our earlier Grave Booklet and even managed to find three ‘new’ gravestones – which is another story! 

In/on the church - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.2o4rkvow9&x=0&h=1&y=-pdc0x6&localeid=en_GB

Rows A-D - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.2359vmo3t&x=0&h=1&y=kqnope&localeid=en_GB

Rows E-J - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.xbm7aukp&x=0&h=1&y=-ymhenr&localeid=en_GB

Rows K-Q - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.2fe9jps5l&x=0&h=1&y=od6oj9&localeid=en_GB

Rows X-Z - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.3djhq4ts9&x=0&h=1&y=-pa5sw8&localeid=en_GB

Or if you want to see the whole lot together go to:-

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.h947nb61&x=0&h=1&y=-5qwy62&localeid=en_GB

Sorry but if you want details of the names etc you'll have to get our booklet for £3.  Its not that we're trying to make money - just that the way we've collected the information doesn't allow us to upload it here.

List of Incumbents

Names from 1344 to 1987 were researched by Mr Charles F.Shepherd for his booklet

St Elidyr Crunwere - A Historical Note, first published in 1933 and revised in 1988.

These are names he was able to trace and may not be the complete list - we have added names up to the present date.

Old Plans for Crunwere Church 1840s

CRUNWEAR, St. Elidyr (1847)
CRUNWEAR
groundplan, elevation and other created by ?Thomas JONES

CRUNWEAR, St. Elidyr (1840-1848)
CRUNWEAR
groundplan created by ?Thomas JONES

Crunwere Church Banners

St Davids Diocese banner

Crunwere Mother's Union banner

Virtual Tour of St Elidyr Church, Crunwere

(90+ Photographs)

(There are also the same photographs here http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=4232968 - they are recorded on the Geograph website as well because no-one can now gain entry to the church as it is officially redundant and the more accessible the photographs are the better.)

Crunwere Church  - named Lann Cronnguern in the 12th century Book of Llandaff.
Of limestone rubble construction.

OUTSIDE CHURCH

Isolated location

Church tower

Decoration above porch

Vent in south wall of South Transept could indicate that there is an underground chamber (may have been added in 1878 when built)

Gravestone embedded in the outside wall of the South Transept. Stone states:

Near this wall lies the body of John Howell A.M.  The son of Reynold Howell of Trenewyed, Gent.  He was sometime Rector of New Radnor but in the year of Trial 1691 was deprived of all that he could not keep with a good conscience. Who died Jan. 17th 1727, aged 70. (A stone tablet in memory of a non-juring clergyman)

Ordnance Survey Trig Plate on south wall of South Transept

Church approach through field

ENTERING CHURCH

Old door into church

Inside of doorway

Restoration Fund box just inside doorway

Memorial to right of doorway in Nave to Augusta Louisa Philipps of Oakland who died in in 1892 aged 25yrs

 

Memorial to left of doorway in Nave to T albot Davies who died in 1907 aged 32 yrs - interred at Mount Pleasant Cemetary, Seattle

NAVE

North Nave Window

View down aisle to altar

Memorial plaque to Hugh Slader Glanville who died at Gaza in the 1st World War - Interred at Beersheba in 1917 aged 25yrs

(This plaque was relocated to Llanteg Hall in November 2009 as the church is now closed and redundant.)

View into North and South Transepts

Two plain windows

One of many old gas lamps still in place


View west back down aisle



The Pulpit

Views from the pulpit:-

Down aisle

Poor photograph showing wooden ceilings

 Looking into North Transept

FLOORS

Tiled floors apparently date from the 1878 renovations

(suspended floors in 60% of church)

Possible under floor heating in 5% of church

SOUTH TRANSEPT

14ft x 11ft

NORTH TRANSEPT

Gravestone of Thomas Davies, late of Lanteague Esq, who died in 1706 aged 98yrs

CHANCEL

Wooden Rood Beam erected in memory of Robert Davies late of Greenacre (1861-1936) and his wife Emma E. (1866-1945). A gift of their son Paul Davies, Faith, Judy and Paul Junior, California (1957)

Small Vestry window

Small door into Vestry - brass plaque records that the carpet in the Sanctuary was given in memory of Margaret Bowen by her husband Mr I.B.Bowen, Churchwarden, in 1974

FONT

Heavy oak font lid in memory of Mabel Prosser (died 1950) - given by her sister Patty Davies of Sparrowsnest


View of font and towards altar

---

TOWER

Cross on door into base of tower area


Hatch and bellrope in base of tower



Western window (once the doorway)

Door up to tower



Three apertures for bellropes (only one in use)

 West window where indentations from staircase are only just visible top right above window

Crunwere Church from Afar

 

Church Symbolism

Extracted from How to Read a Church (Pocket Guide) by Richard Taylor 2007
(kindly given to me as Christmas present - I wonder why?? R.R.)
 

The main body of a church is the Nave - for the congregation. Nave comes from the Latin Navis - meaning ship.

Pews are a fairly modern introduction - before that most people stood - but there were some stone seats around the walls and columns; hence the saying 'the weakest to the wall'.

Beyond the nave is the Chancel - usually up a step and past an arch. Beyond the Chancel is the Sanctuary - also often separated by a step/arch/alter rail. Within the Sanctuary is the alter.

When churches began they all followed a similar pattern.

The East and South were the favourable sides. People faced East for worship - in the direction of the sunrise (probably a pre-Christian habit).

Most churches are built on an East-West axis. Entering towards the West and with the alter in the Eastern end. This is the common practice but not a hard and fast rule.

Images of Christian hope are often found in the eastern window. The western side was considered best for 'doom' paintings such as the Last Judgement.

The church's early policy was to absorb pagan sites, not destroy them - so churches were often build on older structures.

Lynchgate - from lic - Old English for corpse. The priest would come out form church to receive the legal certificate from the family while the coffin rested under the gate outside church.

Graves faced east - the 'honourable' direction - also Christians adopted the old Jewish custom of burial with the feet facing the rising sun - a sign of hope. It is believed that the faithful will rise again when Jesus returns to Jerusalem and they wished to be facing the right way.

The south side of the yard was preferred for burials. The north side often being used for suicides, criminals and unbaptised babies.

Churches therefore tended to be built towards the north of the yard with the entrance facing south with a long path.

Some yards have old crosses - sometimes used for open air preaching. Also before tombstones became commonplace it could act as a single memorial.

Stoup - a bowl of stone by the church door holding holy water for people to cross themselves with. Came from the Jewish tradition of washing hands/face/feet.

Font - usually placed at the rear of the church - the beginning of lifes journey. The journey down the aisle would therefore be your journey through life towards God. Fonts can be lidded. Water would be blessed at Easter and left for later use; therefore some were lead lined. In England font covers were compulsory from 1236. Nowadays the water is blessed on the day of use.

Early columns were often made to represent trees.

Lectern - where the Bible rests. Usually in the shape of an eagle - a bird that was thought to be able to look unflinchingly into the sun - just as the words of the Bible are the unflinching revelations of God.

 

Pulpits were introduced in about the 14th century when the focus was more on preaching and teachings.

 

Rood screen - sometimes divided chancel from nave. Rood is the Anglo-Saxon word for cross - and rood screens are often topped by a large cross and sometimes flanked by the Virgin Mary and St John, who were both present at the crucifixion.

 

Altar - the holy heart of the church - candles can be hung there - and sometimes a candle in a red lamp is kept burning as a perpetual flame to symbolise the continual presence of God.

 

Symbols

Crosses

The cross is the Christian's most important symbol.

 

There can be an empty cross (just the two cross pieces).

A cross/anchor (with the bottom curved like an anchor shape).

The Crucifix of Triumph - Jesus on the cross with his arms outstretched, usually wearing a long seamless tunic (before the 13th century they preferred not to have Jesus stripped).

The Crucifix of Suffering - this was more popular from the 13th century - Jesus was on the cross -with his head to one side - almost always the 'right' side. Shown having just died, wearing the crown of thorns, with nails in his palms and crossed feet and also a cut just below his ribs.

The Celtic or wheel-head cross incorporated the circle.

The Easter Cross is garlanded with flowers - especially lilies, though now possibly daffodils.

The Passion Cross has ends coming to points - representing the wounds of Jesus.

The Swastika was a fairly common cross in old Christian monuments in Rome - but since its associations of the 20th century is seldom now used.

 

Halos

When first introduced it was as 'see through' light - but by the Middle Ages had become vast golden cartwheels. By the Renaissance had shrunk again to be discreet hoops of light.

Some halos incorporate a crucifix shape (often for Jesus and Lamb of God).

The triangular halo is to represent the Trinity.

Sometimes there is a pointed star shape.

A square or scroll shape is used to denote the person was alive when the image was made.

 

Other Symbols are:-

Lamb - the lamb of God - Agnus Dei

Fish - symbolises Jesus - 3 for the Trinity. Ancient Christian symbol pre-dating the cross and used as a sign by the early Christians.

Dove - can be for God or The Holy Spirit.

Eagle - divine inspiration.

Rose - purity. Virgin Mary called a 'rose among thorns'. Red for martyrdom, white for purity.

Lily - associated with Virgin Mary.

Ivy - evergreen - immortality.

Palm Leaf - associated with victory since pre-Christian times. Commonly used as a symbol of martyrdom.

Colours - Liturgical colours - the standard ones being green, purple, white and red.

Green - colour of new life.

Purple - used for repentance.

White - Liturgical colour for Christmas and Easter.

In Christian art the following often meant:-

Black - sickness, death, devil, mourning.

Black and white can represent purity.

 

Blue - used for Virgin Mary and also Jesus. The blue colour was the most expensive and used only on the most precious subjects.

Brown - the dress of Franciscans - imitating poor peasant dress, renouncing the world.

Gold - colour of light, same meaning as white.

Grey - ashes, symbolise death of body - repentance.

Purple - Royalty, imperial power.

Red - fire - can mean hate or love. Mary Magdalene often in red.

White - pure, innocent.

Yellow - light, halos in stained glass. also used in Middle Ages to mark out plague areas -so suggested contagion. Judas sometimes in yellow.

Sacred Monograms - IHC and IHS. Both symbols for Jesus.

IHC is from the Greek spelling for Jesus (IHCOYC). Purists tend to prefer this as it is the earliest version.

IHS is the translation of IHC into Latin form.

INRI - this was nailed to the top of the crucifixion. Latin for 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'. It was usual to have a placard placed on crosses bearing the man's name and crimes.

XP - the Chi Rho - also stands for Christ - from the Greek for Christ (XPICTOC). The Chi Rho has meanings that pre-date Christianity. Its popularity soared after 312 when it was adopted by the Emperor Constantine - the first Christian Roman Emperor.

Numbers - the octagon (8) sided shape was popular - half way between a square and a circle (to mean half way between earth (square and God (circle)). Often used for pulpits and fonts.

Triangle - Trinity - Father, Son & Holy Ghost. Or could be two triangles together or one inside a circle.

Fleur de Lys - this and other three petalled flowers were also used for the Trinity; as were clover and shamrocks.

The three Magi - from the 14th century they were shown depicting different races. Gold was for kingship, frankincense for priestliness and myrrh for embalming and death.

 

Who's Who?

John the Baptist - shown with wild dress and ragged hair and beard.

Mary Magdalene - with long blond/red hair. Often shown with a pot of perfume (which she had used on Jesus’ feet).

Four Apostles - Matthew (man or angel), Mark (lion, often with wings), Luke (bull or ox with wings) and John (eagle).

St Paul - shown with receding hair and a beard.

St Peter - with keys (of heaven), an inverted cross and a cockerel.

St John - beardless and holding a chalice (with a serpent or dragon).

St Matthew - tax collector - may have money bags.

St James the Great - pilgrim's staff, hat and scallop shell.

St James the Less - shown with saw or club.

St Bartholomew - a set of knives.

St Philip - bread, sword, lance or fish.

St Jude - book or papers.

St Simon - saw.

St Thomas - carpenter's square.

St Stephen - palms and a stone.

St Andrew - a saltire cross.

St Agnes - a lamb.

St Catherine - a wheel.

St Christopher - a lamp with child on shoulder.

St Francis - scars on hands, preaching to birds.

St George - a dragon.

St Nicholas - three gold balls, children, bishop's mitre.

St Sebastian - semi naked - with arrows.

St Teresa - flowers.

St Veronica - a cloth with image of Jesus’ face.

St Michael - sword and spear and stepping on dragon. Sometimes holding scales.

St Gabriel - often shown with lily or trumpet.

St Raphael - wearing pilgrim's clothes with a staff, pouch and fish.

 

The Ten Commandments often depicted on two tablets.

 Strawberry Tea Fundraiser

29th June 08

In total just over £622 was raised for Crunwere Church funds. 

A big thank-you to all who supported the event, to Crofty Nursery (and others) for supplying the plants. to the ladies who baked the cakes and to all who helped prepare and sell on the day.

Photographs can be seen on the Message Board:-

http://www.llanteg-village.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=187&sid=f51547e13660c30a232539d26dabd03c

Sankey Evening 20th April 2008

This was held on Sunday 20th April.  The Conductor was Rev’d Huw George, Accompanist Heather Williams and Soloist Audrey James. £134 was raised for Church Funds.  Flower arrangements kindly done by Winifred Tunster.

Christmas Carol Service 16th December 2007

This had been planned to be held in the Old School Gardens, Llanteg, but was changed to the Village Hall due to the very cold and damp weather.

Organisd by the Community Association, we were pleased to have a full hall and also younger members of the community present.  Rev'd Sarah Geach conducted the Service, which had the musical and singing accompaniment of Jill and Arthur Grey.

Interspersed with readings, we sang many well loved carols and enjoyed hearing the children singing Away in a Manger.  Audrey James also did a solo for us of In The Bleak Midwinter.  The candles on the Advent Wreath were lit by the children.

Rev'd Geach gave us 'A Reflection on Christmas' and John James thanked everyone.  fterwards everyone tucked into mince pies and a warming cup or tea before bidding each other 'Merry Christmas'.

Thanks to the Community Association members for putting on the event, to Rev'd Geach for conducting the event and to Jill and Arthur for helping the sing along.

 Photographs on the Message Board -

http://www.llanteg-village.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=201&sid=f51547e13660c30a232539d26dabd03c

Christmas Fundraiser 2007

The Christmas Coffee Morning and Fayre was held on in the Village Hall on Saturday 1st December and raised £563 for funds.

Remembrance Sunday - 11th November 2007

  (Write up of 2007 services on Llanteg Message Board

http://www.llanteg-village.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=96&sid=f51547e13660c30a232539d26dabd03c)

Crunwere Action Plan Meeting - 1st October 2007

Meeting in the Village Hall at 7.30pm - to review the Parish Action Plans and to view the Diocesan DVD Breaking New Ground.

The meeting is open to everyone and it is particularly hoped that all PCC members will be able to attend. 

 Strawberry Tea Fundraiser

24th June 07

In total just over £649 was raised for Crunwere Church funds. 
A big thank-you to all who supported the event, to Crofty Nursery (and others) for supplying the plants. to the ladies who baked the cakes and to all who helped prepare and sell on the day. Also to Sue, Sam and Roy James who did the grass cutting and weeding last Friday.

For a fuller report and lots of pictures of the event go to the Message Board:-

http://www.llanteg-village.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20&sid=f51547e13660c30a232539d26dabd03c

Bequest - Crunwere Churchyard 2007

Mr Bob Davies

 (Bob as a young child in the 1920s)

Robert John Mons Davies was born on 26th November 1914 and brought up in Llanteg, later moving to Whitland.   

Bob very kindly left the sum of £5000 in his Will to Crunwere Church Churchyard Account for the upkeep of the yard.

Although not a regular church-goer Bob had a love of the churchyard in which his parents, grandparents and many other relatives are buried.

(Bob was an uncle to Tony Brinsden and was born at Greenacre - a now disappeared house which was between Zoar Chapel and Stanwell.)